Author's note: Sorry this has taken so long to post. I had some writer's block, an international work trip and a wedding! Ugh.

Anyway, I wrote myself into a corner which required me to change my plot some. Sorry if this chapter is kind of angst ridden… even for me. I promise good things are coming in the next chapter. (Note: I almost never give spoilers…so my guilt level must be pretty high!)

BTW, if you are interested in chatting with the authors or just stopping by to say, 'Hi"…a good number of the Chuck fanfic authors hang at:

Fanfiction/forum/TWoPKickedUsOutButWeStillLoveChuck/49974/

I would love to see you there!

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 11: Star Crossed

Bride's Dressing Room

Pasadena, California

Casey, Devon and Ellie were in the Bride's Dressing Room discussing the events that haunted Ellie. The room was full of tension as they discussed the events that occurred during the eighteen months that she had disappeared and were now jeopardizing the young doctors' nuptials.

"So the government didn't kill Sarah?" asked a confused Devon, as he looked back and forth between Ellie and the NSA agent.

Casey rolled his eyes and huffed, "Of course not moron. Dispensable doesn't mean we kill them. Hell, if that was the case then you…"

"Stop! Stop it now," interjected Ellie, as she gave Casey a pointed look. Seeing Ellie's facial expression made the NSA agent sigh in resignation. Casey realized that she didn't appreciate him mocking her fiancé.

He ignored Ellie as she tried to placate Devon. Instead, Casey thought back over the events that transpired at Twenty-Nine Palms.

Fighting back a feeling of nostalgia, Casey chocked out a small laugh and shook his head. "To this day I'm not sure how they pulled it off. Maybe it was divine intervention."

He leveled a shrewd look at Ellie and considered her for a moment. Narrowing his eyes, he remarked, "Or maybe it was intervention by something more earthly in nature." Casey leveled a meaningful stare at the brunette doctor.

"Ellie, do you want to confess anything?" asked Casey in the voice he normally reserved to intimidate people.

The brunette quickly averted her eyes. Ellie hadn't realized that Casey had suspected her involvement. Her stomach lurched in alarm when she realized that the government might also be aware of her involvement.

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Ellie guiltily replied, "Casey, let me explain…."

Hospital Room, Robert Bush Naval Hospital, Twenty-Nine Palms, CA

The two agents were alone in Sarah's hospital room. They were heatedly discussing Casey's orders to leave Sarah and take the Bartowski siblings to a safe house at an undisclosed location.

"…Please Casey you have to help us. You can't leave me," cried Sarah desperately as she clutched her hospital blanket tightly against her.

Casey looked down at the desperate figure of Sarah Walker as she struggled to sit up in her hospital bed. He knew that Chuck and Sarah had strong feelings for each other and it wasn't that he didn't feel for the couple. But he was a company man and he had his orders. He couldn't disobey.

"I'm sorry Sarah. Beckman has already issued her orders," said Casey.

Casey watched Sarah's reaction. It was clear from her stricken face that she was struggling to maintain her composure. She was started to argue, but the Bartowski siblings re-entered the room. Frustrated by the interruption, Sarah gave a strangled cry.

Alarmed, Chuck awkwardly launched himself towards Sarah's bed but was hampered by his limited sight.

"Sarah, are you alright?" asked Chuck with concern, as he felt his way towards her hospital bed.

Sarah grabbed his outstretched arm and pulled him towards her until he was forced to lean down onto her bed. Overwhelmed by Casey's admission, Sarah cried, "He is going to take you away from me. He is going to separate us."

Chuck embraced her gingerly making sure that he did not touch her injured torso. He whispered something unintelligible in her ear and then looked up.

Casey saw that Chuck couldn't quite focus upon him but there was a glint in his eyes that he had never seen before. There was almost fierceness in Chuck. It made Casey hitch his breath.

The small noise centered Chuck gaze upon Casey. Chuck expression was hard and he snarled, "You can't separate us, Casey. I won't let you."

The NSA agent exhaled slowly. He knew how stubborn Chuck could be; and based upon his expression it was clear that Chuck would fight to the bitter end to stay with Sarah.

Casey felt a slow burn in his stomach. He cared about Chuck and Sarah. But his personal feelings didn't matter. He would do his job.

Clenching his jaw, he felt a surge of anger at the ridiculous position that he was in. Casey stood up rigidly and glared unremorsefully at the desperate couple. It made Ellie step back in alarm as she saw the deadly purpose in Casey's eyes.

Casey growled, "My orders are clear. Walker, instead of riling your boyfriend up more, I would use your last few minutes to try to talk some sense into Chuck. You know I don't have a choice and I will use as much force as necessary to implement my orders. It would be a shame if you caused Chuck to be subjected to any more pain…"

Casey stopped when he saw the impact that his words had on Sarah.

He saw pain erupt upon her face when she realized what could happen to Chuck if he tried to fight. Casey watched as her body sagged and she buried her face into Chuck's chest.

It made Casey's chest hurt to see Sarah's heartbreak at the inevitableness of the situation.

Recognizing that he had won, Casey quietly said, "I'll give you a few minutes to say your goodbyes."

Once Casey left the room, Chuck pulled back from Sarah and sat upon her bed while holding her hand.

He looked at her fiercely and said, "I can't leave you Sarah. You are apart of me now. I won't leave without you. I can't do it. I swear I will fight him," stated Chuck with resolve.

In response, Sarah buried her head even deeper into his chest. Chuck leaned forward and kissed her forehead to try to comfort her. He continued, "We've come too far to let them break us up."

Sarah clutched the front of Chuck's shirt and pulled his away from her. Tears were flowing down Sarah's face. She wanted to agree with him, but knew that it would be foolhardy to resist and she wasn't in a good enough condition to protect Chuck.

With a sigh, Sarah whispered, "You can't fight him Chuck. You will force Casey to take extreme measures. He might not mean to…but he could hurt you. I don't want you hurt anymore than you already are."

Chuck shook his head frantically. He tried to argue with her. He professed his love to her but she continued to deny him. Finally he blurted out, "Sarah, I have to fight for us. We can't live apart. I can't leave you here in this hospital…"

Sarah replied, "You have to Chuck."

Ellie saw that his brother was unwilling to listen to Sarah. It alarmed her that Chuck was seriously contemplating rebelling against the government. "Sarah is right Chuck. You can't fight the government. You have to listen to Sarah. We have to leave her."

Chuck looked up at his sister and just shook his head with anger.

"Ellie if you understood what Sarah and I mean to each other…you would never tell me to leave her. Not like this," replied Chuck indignantly.

Chuck's words made Sarah's heart flutter. No one had ever fought for her like this. She knew what it meant for Chuck to defy his sister.

But the moment was quickly vanquished as Sarah contemplated the situation. It was greater than both of them. Sarah knew she couldn't let him fight Casey. It would be futile.

Sarah placed her fingers against Chuck's lips. She tapped his lips with the tip of her fingers to stop his protests.

Looking directly into his eyes, Sarah asked, "You trust me right?"

Chuck nodded silently as tears started to form in his eyes. He knew by the tone in her voice that Sarah she had made her decision.

"But…"

Sarah fingers tapped his lips again. Looking lovingly at his brown curls and gentle face, Sarah summoned all her courage. With a deep breath she told him that he needed to leave her.

Holding his hand, Sarah vowed, "This isn't the end."

Ellie watched as Chuck's shoulders sagged and Sarah melted into her brother. They let out small cries and began to kiss desperately. They both knew it could be their last kiss.

Eventually Sarah started to pat Chuck's back. He pulled back and they both took deep breaths. He stared intently at Sarah and with a small smile she told him it was time for him to go.

Ellie watched as Chuck took a few quick breaths and mumbled, "I love you Sarah." Tears ran down Sarah's face as she smiled encouragingly to him. She told him to be strong.

Chuck sighed and stood up awkwardly and turned towards Ellie. The young doctor recognized that Chuck was ready to go.

Ellie grasped Chuck's hand and began to usher him towards the exit.

When they reached the door, Ellie heard Sarah call her name. The young doctor stopped and looked at the blond women in the hospital bed.

"Could I talk to you alone for a minute?"

Ellie wasn't sure what Sarah wanted. The helicopter ride had mended some of the rift in their relationship, but Ellie still felt trepidation in being alone with Sarah.

However, she knew that she owed Sarah, so the doctor nodded quickly and ushered Chuck into the hallway where Casey awaited.

Ellie asked Casey for a minute and she returned to Sarah's room. The young doctor was somewhat dismayed when she returned. She found that Sarah was no longer the women desperately in love. Instead, Sarah sat in her hospital bed as the rigidly composed government agent.

Ellie was flabbergasted. Anger coursed through her as she considered the drastic change in the blond woman. Was Sarah playing her brother? Ellie couldn't tell and it reminded the young doctor that she really didn't know Sarah Walker very well.

Ellie asked angrily, "What did you want?"

Sarah heard Ellie's tone and blanched. Fear raced through her. Her sudden resolve to deal with the situation logically started to falter. Sarah realized that Ellie held her entire future in her hands.

Sarah studied her hands for a few moments to compose her reply and to clamp down on her suddenly riotous emotions.

In a strained voice, Sarah replied, "Ellie, I know that I am not your favorite person in the world, and I know that I've never given you a reason to trust me. But you got to believe that I love your brother."

Ellie's eyes blazed and she bit back, "Why do I have to believe that Sarah? Just moments ago you were crying on my brother's shoulder professing your undying love and the next I'm talking to the cool government agent. What am I supposed to think? What is the real you?"

Sarah began to tremble and she was forced to bat away a few tears that fell down her cheeks. Sarah's calmness suddenly collapsed and she started to struggle for breath. It alarmed Ellie and the young doctor started towards Sarah's bed.

However, Sarah shook her head and gestured with her hand for Ellie to remain where she was.

"Just give me a moment," mumbled Sarah as she worked to gain control of her breathing. After a few moments, Sarah's calmness returned. The blond agent grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from her bedside table. She scribbled onto the piece of paper and then looked up at Ellie.

"Ellie I didn't ask to talk to you so that we can fight. Nor am I going to try to convince you that I am holding on by a thread. I am not good at showing emotions. I've never been good at sharing my emotions and I afraid that if I let them out….well…well then I wouldn't be of any use to anyone."

Sarah continued, "You probably think that I'm not good enough for Chuck. And I probably agree with you. Maybe he will even realize that some day. But right now…this instant…he needs me and to be honest…I need him."

Sarah searched Ellie's face for some sign of understanding, but the young doctor continued to stare warily at the blond agent.

"I wanted to give you this telephone number. It's a blind message site that I've set up. If you leave a message for The AllPro Travel Agency stating the address of your final safe house, I will meet up with you guys."

Ellie's eyes widened in alarm. "Sarah, I don't know about this. Casey and the government will be upset. I don't think it would be…."

Sarah interjected quickly, "Ellie I swear I will never tell them that you told me. They will just think that I'm a good agent. Chuck and I will be together and I can help him recover. You have to see that I can help him. Please just take the number."

Ellie took the piece of paper from Sarah hesitantly. "I don't know Sarah. I can't promise anything. I don't like the government very much, but I'm not stupid enough to want to cross them either."

Sarah looked imploringly at Ellie. 'They will never know," explained Sarah. "Sooner or later you will have access to a payphone or a stranger's phone. It doesn't matter how you do it. The number is toll free and can only be used once. There will be a low probability of tracing it back to you. If for some reason you do get caught, tell them that I threatened Devon."

Ellie looked down at the piece of paper for a bit and then looked up at Sarah. The women's eyes met. They held each other's gaze for a few moments before Ellie looked away. They both knew that Ellie didn't want to help Sarah.

Sarah's chest throbbed painfully at the thought of losing Chuck. The blond agent tried a different tact. Sarah pleaded, "Don't say no yet. Just keep the number. You will eventually see that Chuck needs me. "

Ellie put the paper in her pocket and started to walk to the door. When she reached the exit, she glanced back at Sarah. She was shocked to see that Sarah had morphed again. She was now wild eyed and shaking with emotion. It was a vision that would haunt Ellie for numerous nights to come. In that moment Ellie knew the depth of emotion that Sarah had for Chuck.

"I'll see what I can do."

Ellie rushed out of the hospital room without another word.