Chuck vrs His Own

by mssupertigz

Story takes place early S3. After Chuck and Sarah recover the gold case for Carina. Sarah has her doubts that she can do her job knowing what she knows and Chuck receives an email from his dead friend Bryce, warning them of a man named Shaw. Will Chuck and Sarah chose to explore their feelings knowing that the answers might put them in danger.

6. Chapter 6

Thank you for all who have added me and have stopped by to read and review. Let me know what you think so far. I own nothing, well the story I guess. Enjoy.

Ȼħꬰᵽꝉꬴꞧ 6

Fundraiser for the Rochester Institute of Technology – Washington DC –

Beckman forward the invitations to the hotel as Casey headed down the hall towards Chuck and Sarah's suite. Beckman would have preferred that Casey was with Chuck but Casey was getting use to having a room to himself. It was Sarah's turn to give up the luxuries of having her own room, as all the missions up to this, Sarah had her own room. Unbeknownst to Casey, they wouldn't have it any other way. Casey knocked on the door, it had been less than twenty minutes since they arrived back at the hotel after finding out that Bergey was dead. Chuck opened the door as Casey walked in.

"Casey, missed us already?"

"Yeah right." As he gave a faint smile.

"Beckman sent these over." As he passed them out.

Chuck opened his first. "What a consulate dinner?"

"Nope, Fundraiser."

"For what?" Sarah opening hers.

"The Rochester Institute of Technology. Her note indicated that Bergey was supposed to attend, so she wants us there to pick up on anything pertaining to his death? Plus, Chuck will feel right at home with his own kind."

Chuck looked at Casey then at Sarah who gave Chuck a wink. "We leave in two hours."

Casey headed to the door and left. Chuck looked at the invite. "Anything?"

Chuck looked at Sarah. "No, nothing yet."

Sarah picked up her hotel key card and her phone. "Let's go?"

"Where are we going?"

"I need a new dress and you need a suit."

"Can't we just wear what we are wearing?"

"No and no."

"I only asked one question."

"I know, but that's for the next one."

"What next question?"

Sarah waited by the door. "Sarah, can I pick out my own suit?"

"No." Then smiled at Chuck.

"Question number two." Sarah kissed Chuck as Chuck exited the room.

Chuck sat outside the dress store with Sarah's choice of a suit. He was given explicit instructions not to peak, he wasn't sure on the which suit he had in the garment bag. Yes, he could peak but he feared that Sarah was watching. Plus, he knew that Sarah would want him to be surprised as he would when he saw her dress. Sarah finally came out carrying her garment bag as Chuck reached for it, he added it to his other hand. Heading back to the hotel they grabbed two coffees and headed up stairs. Chuck picked up the phone and called Casey and asked if he could get dressed there, Casey agreed and Chuck grabbed his toiletries. Seeing Sarah in just a towel, he stood wondering if he should go. Sarah continued pampering herself with creams and perfume. As Chuck walked in, he stood in behind her as they stared into the mirror. "You know Ms. Walker. You make it really hard to walk away."

"Just doing my job."

Chuck kissed her shoulders, as Sarah wanted more. Turning around their lips met. Sarah's towel rode up over her hips as Chucks hands slid upwards along with it. Sarah placed her hands flat on his chest. "You better go have a cold shower, Mr. Bartowski."

Chuck kissed her cheek, then headed out the door. Grinning down the hall, his face became somber as he knocked on the door.

Chuck and Casey waited in the lobby as Chuck heard the elevator open. There walked out the most beautiful woman in the world. Even Casey had to look twice. Chuck reached for her hand as he squeezed it then gave her a kiss on the cheek. Chuck was blown away at how Sarah looked in her dress. A red dress which this time he commented the way he should have done the last time she wore red. Sarah kissed Chuck and appreciated the gesture. Even back then. Chuck looking handsome as ever made Sarah give Chuck a sexy look.

Arriving at the fundraiser the team's purpose was to see if anyone attending was Fulcrum or a possible threat or any info on Bergey's sudden death. Walking into the main room the team mingled together, then separated. After awhile Chuck walked up to Sarah and couldn't not help smell her intoxicating perfume, kissing her bare shoulder. She replies. "If you continue to keep this up I'll have to."

"Have to what?"

Just then an old familiar face walked in the room that changed Sarah disposition. Chuck stood up straighter as Sarah greeted this familiar face.

"Charles, I would like you to meet Damien Stark." Chuck shook his hand. "Charles is a co worker and Charles, Damien and I were at the farm together."

"Nice to meet you?"

"Like wise."

Chuck shrugged off the way that he was introduced, but either way this guy didn't feel right. And it wasn't because he was her boyfriend. Sarah and Damien talked briefly till Damien was called away. Sarah turned to Chuck, repeating how they met. Chuck listened but the more she talked about Damien the more it sounded like he was possibly another Bryce, Chuck got very quiet. Moving towards Casey, Chuck flashed on two people walking through the room. At the same time Casey walked up to Sarah informing her that 'Bryce 2.0' aka Damien Stark had been watching her since they arrived which Sarah didn't notice. And that her talking about him was making Chuck a bit uncomfortable. Sarah digesting Casey's comments she looked to see where Chuck was, walking up to him she grabbed his hand. "Wanna dance?"

Sarah took Chuck out on the dance floor. Sarah leaned in reminding Chuck how much he meant to her.

Whispering back. "I love you too."

"Can't wait till this mission is over."

"Me either."

Chuck and Sarah returned to their table as Beckman sits down and joins them. Chuck informs Beckman of his last flash on the two possible Fulcrum agents but that he's not sure on the others that he had flashed on, and no word about Bergey. But most importantly letting her know about his gut feeling that there were more out there.

Chuck looks at Beckman and speaks up. "I have a gut feeling General that there are more out there, well here anyways."

"Chuck, I appreciate your willingness, but if you don't flash I can't go to my superiors on your gut feeling. Unless we have a flash or proof."

"I understand that General but as an agent aren't we called upon to go with our guts."

Beckman looked at Chuck. Knowing that Chuck wouldn't mention this if he wasn't sure. His gut feelings had been a great asset in past missions. Taking some time to process, Beckman turns to Chuck as she gets up.

"Chuck if your gut gets really bad. Then I might reconsider."

Chuck nods.

"Team we go with what we have and hopefully the mighty will fall."

Beckman leaves the party as they continue to watch the room. Sarah slides her one heel off as she slips her hair over her right ear. Leaning slightly backward, wanting to make the evening a bit more tolerable she slides her foot towards Chuck as he continues to nurse his drink. Sarah slides her toes inside and upwards of Chuck closest pant leg. Chuck turns his face and tries to look casual at Sarah. Sarah looks elsewhere but then fixes her eyes on Chuck as she continues to toe handle his leg. Casey comes back with the id of two people that Chuck had flashed on earlier and flashes again. These are not their real names. They are Galina Stacey and Brandon Stacey as Chuck continues to talk he looks up to see the husband and wife team pictures on the wall outside the consulate.

"Guys." As he points to the pic as Casey takes a photo with his phone. "Now we have two less from our list."

The evening turns more romantic as Chuck grabs a rose from a near by table and grabs Sarah pushing her behind the cloak room curtain. Giving her the rose, he gives her a kiss.

"I wanted to do this all night."

Sarah holds his face close to hers as they hang on to the moment but turn to head back towards Casey as Casey has the Stacey's carted off to the CIA holding cell. Casey returns after talking to Beckman.

"We hold off till morning, she wants them to stew for awhile, hopefully them not returning tonight will makes the others come out as well. Good job Chuck. For people that are supposed to be in hiding they sure don't know how to play hide and seek?"

Chuck looked around just in case he missed something. "Maybe they were here for a reason, or they were here to meet someone?"

"Who? You only flashed on those two." But Chuck who wasn't a gambling man would put his money on one Damien Stark, but he had no proof, yet.

Chuck looked at Sarah. He wanted to tell her that her old friend wasn't sitting well with him. But he knew that if Damien was in the intersect, he would have flashed on him. If he was in the intersect, Chuck hoped that it wasn't too late. Sarah reached for his hand as Chuck grabbed it.

"You ready to go?"

"Sure."

Chuck opened the door to their room and placed the key card on the table as he went to the phone, calling down for some wine and appetizers. Their spying didn't allow much time for eating.

Sarah sat down on the couch slipping off both her high heels and moving them to the side. Sarah extended her hand as Chuck slipped off his jacket and unbuttoned his top button slipping off his tie. Walking over he placed his hand in hers as he sat down beside her. Sarah lifted her right leg and placed it on Chucks lap. Playing with her fingers, Sarah laid her head to one side and rested it on the back of the couch. Chuck continued to look at her smiling.

"You did good tonight."

"You think?"

"Yeah, we got the Stacey's so that leaves us with five more and one step closer to being done."

"Do you think that tonight was just a front?"

"Possibly, we know that Ted Roark did something similar last year, so why would this even be any different."

"Well, it is a legit fundraiser for the college."

"Yes, it is, but that is how they get their recruits. If this was their way of recruiting."

"But there no way to evaluate anyone?"

"They usually don't recruit like Stanford did Chuck? Like Flemming did. These guys recruit by enticing them with, money, paid tuition, free stuff."

"So tonight, was kind of like checking out the merchandise."

Chuck got up as there was a knock at the door. Returning with a tray of food and a bottle of wine, Chuck placed them on the table in front of them."

"Well." Looking down at Sarah.

"I guess, you can say that."

Chuck opened the wine and poured two glasses and passed one to Sarah as he kissed her then made a plate for her. Chuck wiped his face after having something to eat and returned his plate to the table pouring another glass for the two of them as Sarah got up and headed to the window. Chuck joined her as they stared out at downtown Washington.

"I bet you had lots of adventure here."

"Not really, after Graham brought me here from San Diego I didn't stay long, maybe a week or two then he had me join a team that was already in training. And for the odd meeting with Graham then Beckman, I haven't been back really."

Chuck took a sip then looked out the window again.

Sarah placed her free hand on his. "But its nice to be here with you. Enjoying the little time, we do have here together."

Chuck turned his face locking lips with Sarah. Breaking their kiss, Sarah takes their glasses and places them on the dresser and returns wrapping her arms around him as they resume kissing. Chuck lifts with his legs and he picks her up but continues to kiss her as he heads towards the bed, flipping off the rooms light. Standing in the semi dark room, Chuck stands in front of Sarah as he unzips her dress from behind as the cool air awakens Sarah's need for his touch. Chuck slips her dress strap over her shoulders and lets the dress fall to the floor, lowering himself to pick it up tossing it on a chair. As he moves slowly upwards kissing every naked park of her skin he sees, he returns to her lips. Sarah goes for the buttons on his shirt and slips his shirt off getting in a few kisses on his chest and neck. Chuck turns and lays Sarah on bed, settling in between her legs as things start to pick up. Chuck and Sarah make love.

Hours later, Sarah wakes up still embraced by Chucks strong arms. Smiling to herself to how amazing she feels, she closes her eyes trying to get back to sleep. Minutes later her phone beeps but she ignores it and goes back to sleep. Again, her phone beeps, not recognizing the number she falls back to sleep. Moments later a text comes through asking her to meet me for coffee at a familiar coffee shop. Sarah knew who it was. The place was familiar to her as she spent a lot of time there when she first became a spy.

Meeting Damian without Chuck seemed ok with her, not that she was cheating on him or anything. But sneaking out in the middle of the night to meet a old colleague wasn't the most sensible move on her part but to her he was an old friend. Grabbing a taxi, she stepped out to familiar surroundings and walked in finding the right booth to sit at. As she walked up to the booth Damian got up and gave Sarah another hug. Ordering two coffees, Sarah sat down and their conversation led to their reminiscing and what they were presently doing now. Sarah was so engulfed by her old friend that his questioning never drew any red flags. The more she talked, the more he seems interested in her purpose for being there.

"Well, its been almost ten years?"

"Yes, it has."

"Do you hear from Carina and the others?"

"Yes and no."

"Doesn't sounds like it's a topic to talk about."

"No, but you know, how this line of work goes."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"So, what do you have your hands in now?"

"Yeah, I was doing security tonight. I like to do security once in awhile, I haven't been on an undercover mission for some time for there was no need to stay hidden and security pays well." Looking at Sarah as he takes a sip of his coffee. "Maybe when you want a change, you can join me. My boss is always looking for new employees."

Shaking her head. "No, thanks. I am good with what I am doing?"

"And that is?"

"You know I can't tell you that?"

"True but you did tell me. That you're not with the others so that means you are on your own or with those two guys you were with tonight? What happened to Larkin?"

Sarah looked at her watch. "I better get going."

Sarah got up. Damien got up as well.

"Could we continue this at a later time? Maybe tomorrow?"

"I'll see, maybe."

"Ok. Good to see you."

"Yes, you as well."

Sarah headed out and hailed a cab.

Returning to the hotel, she changed and slipped back into bed. Chuck rolled over snuggling in beside her as she kisses his forehead. Opening his eyes, Sarah leans forward and moves on top of Chuck as Chuck focusses and grabs her face, kissing her neck and face as they become one. Sarah moves and caresses his chest as he sits up holding her close to him as they move as one. The street lights shine just enough into the room allowing them to see each other as their movements pick up. Chuck runs his fingers down her back as it stirs her to continue. Chuck holds her close as they fall to their side. Chuck lifts her leg and holds it near his hip as they continue to move. Sarah closes her eyes as Chuck lays his head on her shoulder. Sarah rubs his back as they try to gain their breath. Chuck slowly releases her legs as Sarah grabs the sheet and covers up. Kissing her again, he rests his head nears hers as they succumb to sleep once again.

Chuck wakes up to find Sarah gone. Getting dress, he heads over to Casey's room and he's gone as well. Returning, he sees a note from Sarah. 'Be back by noon'

Chuck orders breakfast and sit down at the table going over his notes he thought about crossing the Stacey's name off his list, but not knowing why they were there last night, he puts a big question mark near their names instead. Chuck hacks into the feed from last night still trying to settle his gut. Picking up on one Damien Stark. Justifying that it's for the job and not that of a jealous overprotective boyfriend. But he had found, with knowing Sarah that most of the men in her life in one way or another had used her or taken advantage of her and it was going to stop before it got started. Tagging his target, he watched him throughout the evening and his movements and who he talked to. After he left Sarah, Chuck watched the feed till he disappeared into the main hall of the banquet room. There he was stopped by someone who obviously was important. Not able to see the man's face Chuck zoomed in and focussed on the man's ring Chuck flashed and the ring brought up a scaffolding pyramid of individuals who were CIA affiliated then branched to the name Fulcrum and all the names that Chuck had come across and which Bryce had led him to find. As the flash came to an end, Chuck grabbed some paper jotting down what he remembered, getting up he headed to the door only to be stopped by Sarah walking in. Hoping to grab a kiss, Casey walks in so Chuck sits back down as Sarah sits down beside him.

"So, where were you guys?"

Casey starts talking. "Went to interrogate the Stacey's. Didn't get much from them, even after talking to them individually, they are tight lipped."

"Well, that doesn't help us out." Chuck looking at Casey.

"No, but who ever they are working for, whether it is Shaw or Kemp, there will be someone that will be waiting to hear from them. I figure we head back to the office and see who shows up and we go from there. They would have to check in and those who didn't they would want to know why and if last night was a for recruiting, then they would need numbers."

Few Days Later

Casey wanted to check out more of the names as Chuck wanted to be sure that what he flashed one was enough to prove that Damien wasn't the man Sarah thought that he was. Sarah go and meets with Damien again as Chuck thinks that he had been watching her as he was always around. Sarah continued to be oblivious to his actions and character, which he somehow wanted to make her think that she'd be better off back in her old world. Chuck and Casey go looking into Chucks flash about the pyramid and looks again at what Bryce sent him with a different perspective. Having most of everything figured out he just needed to know the who; who the top guys were and why; why was this happening now.

The past few days, Sarah had been in meetings with Beckman and other CIA officials but as the meetings progress, Beckman begins to think that the meetings weren't necessary and that someone was trying to keep them busy. Beckman sets up a meeting with Chuck and tells Chuck that she thinks she's getting what Chuck had with his gut. But she's not sure who's in charge. Chuck asks her to give her a list of agents that stayed back all those years ago. Stating that it was and could be the last piece of the puzzle. Also, if there were any interest on the intersect after Bryce stole the files. Any follow up besides Casey and Sarah and Graham. Also, if anyone other than Graham might have tried or upload remnants or files that "we" didn't know about. A back up for the back up. If Orion created it there had to be someone else – Beckman agrees and gives him a lead to meet with Hartley. Who was the only one besides his dad that might know something. Chuck goes with Casey but isn't able to see him. But as Chuck and Casey leave the grounds a shadowy figure watches from the hospitals window. The man sits down and quietly speaks 'time has come'. Another man sits with him. "I promised you that we would see justice." And walks out of the room. Chuck returns to jot down why Hartley would be the one to talk to and not his dad.

Later that day

Chuck and Casey join Sarah at the CIA office. Catching up they decide to wait outside and watch who went in and who came out, checking off any names or adding new names that Chuck flashed on. Sitting in the van Sarah watches the screens as she notices a familiar face. Chuck rolls his chair back to see that it was Damien again. Then looks at Sarah whose expression changes. Watching Sarah watch him made Chuck's stomach turn. Chuck continues to sit on the fact that he flashed on a person that he was with. But still not flashing on him specifically, he would only be playing the jealous card.

Chuck watched the feed as another face walking up to the door triggers a flash as code names Coho and Blacklair come up. Sarah unaware that Chuck flashed, she hears her phone and see a text from Damien. Which adds to Chucks fear. Sarah reads the text and thinks that it might be a lead. With her not knowing that Chuck had just flashed, and not knowing about Chuck's conversation with Casey about not trusting the flashes. Chuck speaks up but its too late.

"Chuck, Casey, I think we might have a lead. Damien just texted and he wants to know if we could meet with him. He's offered his services to help out. We can always use the help."

"Help with what? No one knows what we are working on."

"Exactly, so we can use him to look inside for us. And Chuck hasn't flashed on him.

Chuck looked at Casey. This definitely didn't smell right.

"I don't know, Sarah I am beginning to think that most of the files that I have flashed on lately may not be true. Almost false info. Maybe I am flashing on Fulcrum files. We really didn't know how much I uploaded at Meadow Branch and maybe those files are messing with the ones that I uploaded with the 2.0. Maybe its all false info to put true CIA agents in danger or ween out the fulcrum agents. Maybe Bryce knew that the download was needed to ween out the Fulcrum agents."

"Chuck, I hardly think that Fulcrum and the latest upload are battling with each other."

"I'm not wrong. Sarah. This whole mission doesn't make sense and now that Damien is…"

"Exactly, this whole thing doesn't make sense so we can't point fingers at people you don't know and haven't flashed on. I'm going to meet with him and if he can help us from the inside then great."

"I don't think you should, what do we know about him? Where did he come from? What has he been doing all these years?"

"It's not important Chuck. But if you need to know, he has been working for a security company for the last few years."

Casey whispers to Chuck telling him to back off a bit and hopefully Sarah realizes that she might be wrong. Sarah gets up to leave the van. Chuck tells her to be careful. Sarah turns towards Chuck.

"Chuck I'm here to protect you not the other way around."

Sarah leaves van and Chuck shakes his head and sits looking at the live feed. Times passes and Sarah returns to the van. Steps up into the van and walks up to Chuck and kisses him hard. Chuck taken back by the nice intrusion. Looking up at him, all she says is 'I love you'. And leaves.

Casey looks is at Chuck. "Well it's about time."

Chuck trying to stay cool. But with all the love and respect for that woman, Chuck couldn't sit back and let someone step in like that. Chuck tells Casey about his flash and the two quickly leave the van. Chuck and Casey head into the building but can't find Sarah or Damien. Searching more of the floors, Chuck looks out one of the halls windows and sees Sarah and Damien walking towards the parking lot. Chuck calls Casey and they skip step down the stairs to the outside doors. Damien starts talk/walking towards the parking lot as his questions are less than friendly. Trying to convince her that her present gig might be in jeopardy, and that if she would allow him, he could protect her. Sarah tries to keep her cool, wanting him to say more without drawing any flags.

"Sarah, did you know that Graham wasn't the man that we thought he was?"

"Langston Graham?"

"Yes, did you know that he withheld top secret intel about a file called the Intersect?"

Sarah was worried, this wasn't a word that she was ever expecting to hear, especially from an old friend, she now knew that he had been turned. Sarah slowly brings her arm up to her face to call for back up. Chuck and Casey stop in their tracks as they hear her plea. Chuck tells her that they are on their way.

Damien leads Sarah down into the parkade constantly looking behind him as if he was expecting someone to show up. Reaching the top floor of the parkade, Damien covers the exit so Sarah would have to go through him to leave or jump of the building. "Yeah, Graham sat on this info preventing it from becoming a huge advantage for CIA agents. Keeping it to himself unfortunately adding to his demise."

"Damien, you ok?"

Damien by now, was sweating profusely and very nervous. Pulls out a gun and aims it at Sarah then draws it back.

"I am fine, but they aren't?"

"Who?"

"They, people like you?"

"Like me?"

"Yeah, those not worthy of the call."

"What call?"

"Don't you know that, people like you are on the wrong side. You always were."

Sarah remembered the men saying the same thing when they came were with Busgang. 'That they were on the wrong side.' Even the sect at Meadow Branch said the same thing to Chuck. Sarah needed more. "Damien what side?"

Damien looked at her.

Sarah repeated the question. Damien raised his gun. "You weren't supposed to be there. Why were you there Sarah? I checked and you weren't on the list to be there. And this Charles, I checked him out and there's nothing on him. Why is that? Any why doesn't the CIA have anything on your present mission?"

"We got last minute invites to attend and Charles is an computer analyst so that is why the CIA doesn't have anything on him. And….."

"Your wrong. They told us that people we know would trick us. And everything that you have told me is a lie."

"Trick you? Why would I? We are friends. So, tell me what I can do to fix this? What side am I on and why do you think that I would lie to you?"

By now Sarah wasn't going anywhere with him and she hoped that Chuck and Casey were close.

Chuck and Casey reached the parkade and headed up looking down the lanes and not seeing or hearing anything. Sarah walked over to the edge as Damien watched. She hoped that Chuck was close. Chuck ran up the curve and stopped to check the lane as he turned to resume looking for Sarah, he heard something fall from the level above. Getting Casey's attention, he pointed upwards. Casey nodded, and they move towards the top level. Sarah dragged her foot across the pavement kicking over the edge a few more stones hoping to make some noise. Damien approached her then looked down to see if anyone was looking up. Sarah walked away from the edge.

"Damien, who do you work for? They sound interesting. Maybe I am on the wrong side. I never really liked the way they controlled my missions and how I dealt with the bad guys."

Damien walked over and put his gun down on the back of the nearest car. "Exactly. They have lost their focus and how the CIA should be run."

"But would I still be a CIA agent?"

"Of course, but much better."

"And you, are you reinstated?"

"Will be."

"When?"

"Soon."

Sarah watched Damien as he continued to watch for something. Sarah followed his eye movements till she heard in the distant what sounded like helicopter. Damien looked up and watched the helicopter came closer. Chuck and Casey ran the final corner and reached the top level as the helicopter landed. Damien grabbed Sarah's arm as Casey fired his gun. Sarah forced a slip which startled Damien as the bullet hit his left shoulder. Sarah stayed low as the doors opened and someone fired from the inside the helicopter. Damien managed to climb in as the doors closed and the helicopter took off. Casey emptied his gun, then returned to Sarah as Chuck helped her up and held her close. Chuck continued to hold her close as CIA officials arrived.

Sitting in Beckman's office Chuck came clean which made Sarah feel worse than she was already feeling. Beckman listened as Chuck explained that his flash showed that Fulcrum was a pyramid system and everyone at the bottom had been killed or in custody. That left Damien who was obviously wounded, Kemp and Daniel Shaw. Beckman walked over to her desk and pulled out a file that read Top Secret. Giving it to Chuck. "I think that this is what you have been waiting for?"

Chuck opened the file and his gut was right. Someone did indeed snoop around looking for any file on the Intersect after Bryce stole it. But all main files Chuck received with the first download so that made him feel a bit better but even those small pieces and the right time and data collecting, anyone could eventually make another intersect. Disclosing to the rest. Casey looked at Chuck. "So, what's our next move?"

Chuck looked at Casey. "We demand to see Hartley."

"But what about Damien?" Sarah looks at the guys.

The three knew that they had to go and find Damien first. Then go see Hartley. Casey gets lead on the helicopter and the three arrive at a downtown telecommunication building. Chuck steps out and looks upwards to see two large antennas towering into the sky. Looking back down, he wonders what would make someone want to hide out here. Casey picks the lock and they enter with Casey leading and Chuck in the middle and Sarah covering their six. Chuck looks around and not watching Casey he trips, bringing the three to a stop. Casey shines his flashlight on what Chuck tripped on and sees the lifeless body of Damien. Sarah checks his neck and looks up and shakes her head. Chuck mouths 'I'm sorry.' Sarah gets up and takes the lead. Casey follows sifting back and forth making sure that they are not being watched or followed. Seeing a light, Sarah raises her hand to have the team slow down and head upstairs. Climbing the stairs Sarah stops and crouches down looking at Chuck. "Chuck you might want to see this." Chuck moves slowly peeking into the room to find a massive computer system with what looked like variations of intersect cubes like the ones that his dad made for Roark. Coming back down he motioned for Sarah and Casey to join him. Once they were safe, Chuck looked at them.

"We have a problem."

"And?"

"It looks like they have created what we hoped wouldn't be."

"Did they?"

"Looks like it but, I can't tell. I need to get closer. I also need to find a main power source and shut it down."

Casey looked at him as he headed to the door. "You guys take care of the computer stuff and I will go looking to shut the power off."

"Casey either way. Pull the plug."

"My pleasure."

Chuck and Sarah head back upstairs and sneak in to get a better view. Chuck is amazed and terrified at the same time at the magnitude of the whole system. The number of computers and data being collected and uploaded made Chuck think that they were trying to get enough data uploaded to send it somewhere or to someone. Sarah grabbed Chuck's arm and hid behind a half wall blocked by computer towers. Sarah and Chuck over hear two men, and another discuss their plans. Chuck hears the voice of the two men and flashes on the identification of one Daniel Shaw and John Kemp. The third dials a number getting the voice of Javier Diaz and Koray Omer whose alias is Coho, only now getting the name of the third person as Elita Natalija. Chuck and Sarah now had all five members of the Elders. John sits at the nearest computer and starts typing. As Chuck listens, he hears Kemp and Shaw discuss the final steps.

"Once we upload theses files, the average Joe can upload and get a hold of the intersect intel."

Sarah whispers to Chuck. 'They are trying to create an army of intersects.'

Chuck nods. Its not looking good.

"Indeed, then all who upload will be faithful to Fulcrum. We pick up where Roark left off with using military technology we succeed by using the world wide web as our source. Can you imagine how the CIA will operate after this? After we reversed Roark's progress, and engineered our own, we still couldn't get enough substantial amount of data uploaded. But having enough of the pieces we were able to create a Beta version which."

Shaw laughs subtly. "Well it did kill Graham and those guinea pigs."

"But, Shaw remember we had some success with Meadow Branch and the only successful upload we ever had."

"Yeah, but where is this person?"

Chuck looked at Sarah.

"No one survived the explosion."

"So many close calls. I really thought that Juliette was going to be the one. Von Hayes had to go to the feds."

"Well, you didn't have Larkin killed?"

Chuck and Sarah look towards Shaw. "He might have been the one."

"Maybe, but having Larkin out of the way, gives us the opportunity to makes things right again. The way it should have been."

Shaw turns to Diaz. "Head out and we will meet with you after we upload."

Diaz nodded and headed down the stairs. Chuck wanted to let Casey know so he could go after him. Sarah shook her head. They had to focus on the Shaw and Kemp.

Meanwhile Casey continued to locate the main power source just in case they didn't reach the upload in time. At least with no power there couldn't be an upload. Chuck and Sarah make a plan as Chuck sneaks around to find the right computer or find a way to take Kemp out. Kemp gets up and walks over to the far tower with his controller and gets a final reading and yells back. "We are at 45%."

"Good." Chuck flashes and surprises Kemp. Kemp drops his controller getting Shaw's attention. Chuck and Kemp fight as Chuck gets the upper hand as he pulls out a large plug from the closest tower as Kemp charges him, but in the end, Kemp gets the shock of his life. Chuck grabs the controller trying to stop the upload, as he heads into the room, he sees Shaw man handling Sarah. Chuck heads towards Shaw as he holds Sarah with her gun to her head.

"Yes, please take another step. And If you do, say goodbye to Agent Walker."

Chuck stops.

"Smart move. Now, if you don't mind. Can you please put down the controller?"

Chuck looked at the controller. Then looked back at Shaw. "And if I don't?"

"She dies."

Chuck steps closer.

"Put the controller down."

Chuck stands up straighter than he was and looks at Shaw. "Come and get it."

Shaw pushes Sarah forcibly away landing hard on the floor. Shaw moves towards Chuck as he holds onto he controller. Not sure what its purpose is, he watches as Shaw keeps his eyes on Chucks hand. Chuck tries to flash but Shaw feints him and Chuck is thrown back. Still holding the controller, Shaw grabs Chuck by his shirt and is paled with several punches to the face. Sarah fears that Chuck is no match for Shaw, as he hasn't flashed yet. Chuck is lifted off the floor which makes him drop the controller. Chuck does get in a few good punched which startles Shaw, but as Chuck tries to fight without the flashing, he is able to hold his own till one blow knocks Chuck to the floor. Sarah is devastated as she scurries towards Chuck. Shaw grabs her and gives her a work out, enabling her. Everything she tried he counter acted, almost like he had been watching her every move and how she fought.

As Sarah is continually tossed around. Chuck lays on the cold floor, remembering being a kid and uploading the first intersect data then remembering everything people said about him. Not being a hero being a hero. Why Bryce sent him the Intersect in the first place. Sarah telling him that he could do anything he set his mind to. Beckman telling him that it was time that he became a spy. Sarah again telling him that he was that hero and Casey telling him that he didn't have to be that hero and Chuck telling him that sometimes you just needed to be. Chuck comes too and flip upwards and sees Sarah lying on the floor. Chuck yells at Shaw, as he stood in front of the computer.

"You leaving already?"

Shaw turns towards Chuck ready to give him more. But as Shaw throws the first punch, Chuck flashes and takes over, Shaw has no chance if beating him. Heading back towards the computer, Shaw grabs his gun and directs it towards Sarah, as Chuck has to wrestles the gun from him. Finally, able to take the gun away, Shaw moves towards Sarah as Chuck turns. Sarah wakes up to see Chuck raise Shaw's gun and shoot him. The room goes dark as Chuck falls to his knees as Casey returns making sure that Shaw is actually dead. Helping Chuck up, Chuck reaches for Sarah. Casey picks her up and they head out. Chuck barely makes it out as the building goes up in flames.

Chuck stares at the building as flames encase it. Casey looks up then back at Chuck. "Well any consolation, this building went up just like the DNI did years ago."

"But, Bryce didn't blow this one up."

"No, but whatever his involvement was, he did prevent something big from happening."

Chuck held onto Sarah as paramedics came and shipped them off very quietly. As the ambulance drove off, Chuck got another text. Chuck shows the phone to Casey.

"We get you guys checked out first."

Chuck wanted to continue but, he nods and continues to hold Sarah's hand. Beckman meets them and directs the hospital personal to make sure that her agents are taken care of but not seen. Chuck sits in the bed next to Sarah finally looking at his blood stained shirt and his bruised knuckles. After the doctor checked him out, and his cuts were stitched. Chuck walked over to Sarah's bed. Caressing her face, she wakes up. Tears in his eyes. "I could have lost you."

Sarah reaches for him. "But you didn't."

Casey smiles, happy that his team is okay. He walks out, giving them a moment. But not before he whispers to Chuck. "Put your game face on. She needs you and you need her."

Sarah gets checked out but must remain in town for a few more days, just in case. Besides her broken ribs it was her ego that hurt the most. How her own people could believe in something so far from the truth. That Fulcrum had that much influence on people. And if it wasn't for Chuck, she could have been turned as well.

Casey and Chuck leave the hotel, off to check out the info from the text. Arriving back at the building they checked out what was left of the room. Chuck walked the room, looking at the burnt fragments of computers and uploading equipment. Chuck picked up a broken hard drive and flashed. Casey looked at Chuck as Chuck told Casey that there was another building. Casey made some calls and the two of them head out. Arriving at the second location, Casey went first followed by Chuck and other agents. Chuck checked doors to see if they could see inside some of the rooms, but Casey smashed them in and the last door he got more than he bargained for. Chuck walked in behind to see a room full of men and women lying on hospitals beds. Chuck turned on the lights as the lights gave a glow to show men and women in various comatose stages. Casey turned and told an agent to go get some help. Chuck walked around as he checked their toe tags. Every name he flashed on, as either missing agents or Fulcrum agents that were presumed dead. Casey came back in with one of the doctors in cuffs as he tried to leave after hearing the commotion. Casey made him sit as Chuck continued to walk the room. "These one didn't get to finish their trial. The system crashed."

"Good." Chuck whispered to himself. Chuck then realized that they had just shut down a trial operation, that had previously resulted in dead or almost brain dead agents lying in other rooms.

Chuck's phone rings. Thinking that it was Sarah. Casey walks up to him and Chuck shows him that it wasn't from Sarah, but he thinks it's the mysterious man from Bristow. Chuck reads the text and sees that its again telling him to go see Hartley.

Across the street two men watch from the distance, as the one continues to send messages to Chuck the other watches the door. "When are you going to tell him who you are?"

"Not sure if I will. It's better that he doesn't know."

"Well, why not. You're safe, we are all safe now that Shaw is dead. That is what you/we wanted this whole time. What you wanted my brother to prevent when he stole the files in the first place."

"I did but I didn't want my only son to bear this burden."

"He has proven us all wrong."

"But, not all of us were so lucky."

"Stephen, my dad can't thank you enough for what you did. Yes, his mind will never be the same again, but you knew that if the intersect was ever put in the wrong hands then the world wasn't safe. The one who had the files would save the day. And my brother, who wasn't a saint knew how to protect what you and my dad had created. Chuck will do us proud. And if it was Chuck or my brother. Either way we still have to protect it. I just hope my dad can….."

Stephen turned to Scott. "Scott, its time you let Chuck know who you are. He doesn't need me around or his sister. Your dad is not going to be safe if I stick around. There will always be someone picking up the pieces of the previous person. Roark searched for Bryce and me and Shaw picked up the pieces from Roark. And one day someone will pick up the pieces from Shaw and go after my son and you. I stay away Hartley is safe. The only blessing about him is he can't tell anyone what he knows."

Scott gets into his car as Stephen stays watching the building. Driving off he heads to the hospital to see his dad. Chuck and Casey arrive and walk into a small room with floor to ceiling windows looking over a busy park. Chuck, tries to function through the pain, he is feeling as the meds are not working as he wished they would. Casey leans against the window as a man walks in pushing an older man in a wheel chair. Chuck turns and flashes on both of the men. Not knowing what to say, he just stares.

Scott looks at Chuck. "Well, you know that its not fair that you know so much about me and I know not a whole lot about you."

"What do you mean."

"Well, I know that you flashed on me and my dad Hartley."

Casey drew his gun. Chuck looked at Casey. "We're good. Casey I would like you to meet Scott Sener and Hartley Sener."

Casey surprised at what he was hearing, extended his hand. Scott extended his hand and rolled his dad closer to the window.

"He likes coming to this room and looking outside."

Chuck continued to stare, not knowing what to say or do. Scott put the brakes on his dad's chair and sits down. Chuck and Casey joined him.

"I bet your wondering why you are here?"

"More than you know."

"We are excited to meet you and finally have you here after your wild goose chase."

"You know about it."

"Well, yeah."

"You were behind the texts?"

"Kinda of. We needed to see that you were ready for the challenge."

"Well, your not what or who I expected."

"I know. He said that you would say that."

Chuck looked at Casey. "Who is this person?"

"Its not important, what is important is that you know the real reason why you and Major Casey are here."

Chuck sits up looking back and forth at Hartley and Sener. Chuck focusses on Hartley as he starts to look familiar to him.

"Chuck, you were sent a riddle weeks ago that."

Chuck got worried, who would have known about this riddle if they weren't the ones behind this whole thing. But it was only information that Bryce and he knew, so why would Scott know about it as well.

"How do you know about the riddle?"

"Chuck, if I told you that we had more things in common that you realized, would you believe me that I am on your side."

"Hard to say."

"Well the riddle that you were sent, my brother sent to you with the original intersect files after you and him had created your very own version of a game called Zork."

Chuck looked at Casey and nodded.

"Your brother?"

"Yeah, surprise."

"And Hartley?"

"My dad, Bryce's dad."

Chuck took a deep breath; this mission was not turning out the way he thought it would.

"Your telling me, us, that Larkin was your brother and this man is the infamous Hartley we keep hearing about?"

"Yes Major, hard to believe but yes, its all true. Just like Chuck we couldn't tell the whole CIA exactly that we were related just like you couldn't tell them that Orion was your dad."

"You know my dad?"

"Very well."

"And?"

Scott told Chuck and Casey how Chuck's dad, Roark and his dad created a 3 part version of the Intersect and when connected together made up the three elements of the complete intersect. Chuck heard from Scott that the files and all the data, his dad created, and Roark helped out with the programming of smaller version of his dad's data and Hartley was the scientist making sure that if anyone was able to survive the amount of data the human intersect was able to hold would need to be monitored. Scott looked at Chuck.

"Now that they knew that the intersect could be downloaded into a human, Orion overhears that the CIA or what we now know was Fulcrum was planning to take the files and create their own little army. Your dad who met Bryce around the time that he was recruited found out that he was friends with you. After a lengthy conversation and deciding that neither Bryce or I were, well had the brains to handle the intersect. Bryce knew who he could trust and well keep it in the family. So, before our dad could agree and after Bryce got you out of Stanford, he stole the files and well here we are."

Chuck got up but as he tried to move Hartley grabbed his arm. "Sit my son."

Scott looked at his dad as his dad rarely talked. Chuck sat back down and looked at Hartley. "My son, and Charles."

Chuck looked at Hartley. "Mr. Sener."

In a low tone Hartley spoke to Chuck. "You have made us proud, you have protected my family, my sons. You have shut down the Elders from continuing their mission."

"I tried to save Bryce."

"I know. You were a good friend to him."

"Now we must keep you safe."

"I am safe. I have the Major and Agent Walker watching me."

"Yes, but we need to protect you in a different way."

Hartley motioned to Scott to take the box that was in his lap and give it to Chuck.

Chuck took the box and opened it to find three plain wrist watches. Chuck looked up.

"Watches."

Scott opened the box as Chuck held the box in his lap. Pulling out one of the watches. Taking the box from Chuck and placing it on the table. Looking at Casey. "Be ready." Casey looks at Scott. "Why?" Scott places one of the watch on Chuck's wrist as Chuck falls back startling Casey. Casey catches Chuck before he falls off his chair. Holding him up, Chuck comes too and looks around. Seeing Casey in his face he says. "What happened?"

"I don't know?"

"Chuck how do you feel?"

Chuck looked at Scott then Hartley. "I….lighter?"

Scott looks at his dad. Hartley smiles.

"It works dad."

Chuck sits up, feeling different like he did when his dad took the Intersect out at Bristow, but he was still able to flash. Scott tells Chuck about the watches and what their purpose was for. Chuck can't believe that this whole time, the wild goose chase had them end up here.

"We call these the governors. Your dad and my dad put together these watches to balance the intersect and the physiological aspects of all the uploads. If the latest upload was not to be downloaded the governor wasn't needed it could be just a watch. But because we know that the last upload was downloaded there was a need to have these watches start working.

"My dad doesn't know that I uploaded the last upload. After Bryce was killed, I had to."

"Understandable. We knew that what Bryce did at first wasn't the greatest choice to be made but we all have been watching you. Happy that the Major and Agent Walker were sent out to be there as well. If you choose to continuing living with the intersect. You will have to have these watches. The side effects of long term exposure are not available cause you're the only one other than your dad that have surpassed any of our expectations. And as long as the Major and Agent Walker are there to protect you, you will be safe, we all will be safe."

"So that is why Shaw and Kemp wanted this to work for them?"

"Yes. If you guys didn't shut them down the intersect or a version of it would be in the wrong hands. Either way could be lethal, and the world doesn't need unsupervised people who have all the knowledge and government files roaming around."

Can you imagine the chaos that could follow? Selling the info to the highest bidder."

Hartley watches as the final piece is safe and complete. Hartley quietly tells Chuck one last message. Chuck leans in. Hartley whispers. "Aces Charles."

Chuck stands up. He now knows that it wasn't only Bryce that was apart of this whole thing but his dad as well sending the info.

LA

Beckman forces Sarah to take some time off and rest, well all of them. Chuck insist on her staying at the apartment. At least he can take care of her. Sarah agrees and she's glad she did. Chuck changes to go to bed as Sarah finally sees the damage Shaw did to him. But she's glad that the world is safe once again and that Chuck could have easily been a statistic. Days later, Beckman arrives at Castle to debrief finally with the team and confirms that the threat is over, and all possible leaks have been shut down. Beckman tells the team that she is sending Casey back to DC to investigate those agents who were found in the second building and to make sure that there is no possible way that the version of the Shaw Intersect is active.

Casey heads back to DC only to be met at the airport. A familiar voice gets his attention. Casey turns to find Orion asking him an unusual request to give Chuck the last and latest upgrade that will keep all the files save and manageable. From what they have experienced. Casey tells Orion that Chuck might not need the upgrade - that he is doing ok with what he has. Orion is surprised by Casey's interest in his well being. Orion attempts to leave. "You're not going to say goodbye?"

Stephen turns around. "No cause it's not goodbye."

"Understood." Casey replies.

Stephen turns to leave. "What about Sener, Hartley?"

"All safe thanks to you and Chuck and Sarah."

Stephen turns and disappears.

Echo Park

Sarah sits on the couch as Chuck closes the door after paying for their Spyro pizza. Sarah opens the wine as Chuck pulls out two pieces and puts them on plates. Passing one to Sarah he sits back and turns on the tv to watch the Jewel of the Nile. Sarah cuddles closer to Chuck as her injuries fade away. Chuck leans in tilting his head slightly as he kisses the top of her head. After weeks of searching they are finally home. No more secrets, or riddles or hunting down their own. For the first time in a long time the outside wasn't a threat or a worry. Chuck looked down at his wrist as he took a deep sigh of relief. Only to wish that it wouldn't end.