Author's Note: There is some sexual content in this chapter.

Chapter 12: Changed Relationships

Shadow Mountain Estates

Grand Lake, Colorado ~ Three Months Later

Casey and Ellie sat companionately on the couch drinking coffee and splitting muffins waiting for the conference call with General Beckman to begin. Ellie glanced around the living room of their safe house.

Taking in the opulence of her surroundings, Ellie had to admit that their current living situation was near amazing. Chuck and Ellie had gone from living in their small apartment in Echo Park to a multi-million dollar lakeside estate in the mountains of Colorado. The last time she had been in town, she had heard that the locals dubbed the house the "mac-mansion."

In truth, the safe house really was truly awe inspiring. Casey had explained that a dot com executive had built the West Coast contemporary lodge with the full intent to have his residence featured in the pages of Architectural Design magazine. However, the executive had lost his estate to the government due to some highly illegal international banking transactions.

The lodge had been selected for their safe house because it had a mini medical facility attached to a wing of the lodge. The businessman had built the house with a state of the art imaging center for his sick daughter, so that their family physician could monitor the growth of his daughter's inoperable brain tumor.

Ellie absently wondered about the family and their fate. She seemed to be surrounded by so much loss. It reverberated in her as she tried not to think about the things that she left behind in Los Angeles.

Her eyes wandered along the intricate tiling along the wall until her gaze fell upon the lone figure that sat on a deck chair on the patio overlooking their lakeside dock. The large bay window gave her a clear view of the forlorn face of her brother as he gazed blankly at the breathtaking lakeside vista surrounding the lodge. She was sure that the view, as well as everything else around them, was lost to him.

"He's not really getting better is he?" asked Casey ruefully, before taking a sip of his coffee.

Ellie frowned as she tried to pick her words carefully. "Physically he is moving forward, but a person's ability to heal is so tied up with their state-of-mind. And well…we both know where Chuck's state of mind has been."

Casey grunted with frustration. "Beckman is not going to accept this for much longer," replied the NSA agent.

Ellie shot back in irritation, "Well, they should have thought about that before they separated him from Sarah. It's just too damn bad that their precious Intersect is inside a human….with human frailties."

Ellie took a drink of her coffee. "Besides, I've read the reports. It's a medical miracle that Chuck even survived The Institute. It's disgusting that the government actually allowed that mad man to do his work under the guise of medical research."

Casey studied Ellie for a long moment before replying, "This is a tough business. Sacrifices are made."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Yes Casey, I know. You repeat that adage so much, I am beginning to think that you are trying to convince yourself and not trying to initiate me," replied Ellie sharply.

Casey's eyes bulged. He gave her a seething stare, but averted his eyes before she saw that she had struck a nerve.

"I'm just trying to make you see the situation clearly. It's been three months and Chuck hasn't improved at all," replied Casey tersely.

Ellie's eyes flashed and it caused the NSA agent to quickly add, "Neither the NSA nor the CIA are known for patience. They don't spend money for houses like this without expecting a payback."

Before Ellie could respond, a light started to flash on the video monitor signaling that their conference call was about to begin. Ellie gave Casey a pointed look before settling herself on the sofa. She schooled her expression to show her most professional demeanor.

General Beckman's face appeared upon the video monitor. She eyed the duo for a second before speaking.

"Good morning Doctor Bartowski. Agent Casey, I trust all is well," asked General Beckman from the video monitor.

Casey immediately provided a summary of their ongoing security measures and then Ellie provided on Chuck's unchanged medical condition.

The general listened attentively and then gave the duo a calculating look before continuing.

"Dr. Bartowski, the NSA has consulted with several top neurological specialists regarding Chuck's condition. After review of his latest MRIs, they recommend that he be given laser eye treatments to help alleviate some of the scar tissue that Chuck's exposure to The Institute may have caused along his optical nerve pathway. They feel that once it is cleared Chuck's vision will return and he will once again be able to flash. "

Ellie took the news with a clinical regard. She replied coolly, "I don't have the equipment here for that procedure. Nor do I have the training to perform the procedure."

"Yes, we know," explained the general. "I have arranged the use of a private laser eye center in Grand Lake. Chuck will have a series of outpatient treatments there. Agent Casey: you will provide all necessary security and Dr. Bartowski will monitor the treatments. We've run a background on the director of the facility there and we feel it is worth the risk for another doctor to become somewhat aware of Chuck's condition. Casey, you will monitor the director carefully."

Privately Ellie was somewhat torn by the news, but she worked to hide her feelings from the general. She wanted her brother to get well, but she knew that once his health returned, the government would once again endanger his life with a multitude of missions. She had seen his case file and knew that he had been injured numerous times while they lived in Los Angeles.

Ellie was somewhat embarrassed that she did not see all his injuries while they lived together in Los Angeles. She was after all a doctor. In her heart she knew that she had seen the signs but had wanted to ignore it. She promised herself this time she wouldn't ignore the reality of the situation.

Ellie was started out of her introspection when General Beckman asked for the second time, "Doctor Bartowski, could you please excuse us."

Ellie looked at the general and then at Casey who sat impassively on the couch. She knew that they were going to discuss topics that they felt they couldn't trust her with.

She wanted to protest, but she had already faced down Beckman on one too many issues. It was better to pick her battles. With absent nod, Ellie grabbed her jacket off the chair near her and went out the sliding glass door to join Chuck on the patio.

After Ellie had left the room, General Beckman peered at Casey and asked, "Do you think we can trust Dr. Bartowski to interact with the laser eye center personnel? This will be her first time in an uncontrolled environment."

Casey's eyes narrowed and pursed his lips as he considered the general's question. "Ellie Bartowski cares deeply for her brother and wouldn't do anything to jeopardize his safety."

The general frowned at Casey's response. "We do not want her contacting her ex-fiancé in Los Angeles. Watch her close at the laser eye center and do what is necessary to assure her continued cooperation," commanded General Beckman.

"Understood," responded Casey coldly.

Ellie walked out onto the deck and watched her brother as he sat in silence on the deck chair under a blanket. Their view lakeside view with the mountain backdrop was stunning and it never failed to make her stop and catch her breath when she came out upon the deck.

She knew that the government was spending a large amount of money to make Chuck's surroundings palatable, but as Ellie gazed at Chuck's forlorn form she knew it was all lost on him.

Chuck's eye sight had yet to return except for his ability to see light and dark shadows. Ellie suspected that his recovery was being hampered by his depression. Chuck pined for Sarah and he on more than one occasion had voiced his utter despair at their separation.

It was heartbreaking. Ellie had watched when Chuck had lost Jill after the Stanford debacle. But that time period did not remotely compare to his despair now.

It was almost like Chuck was slowly dying without Sarah and it made Ellie want to scream. She hated how much the blond agent had bewitched her brother. Ellie felt like she was losing him and she didn't know how to fight it.

"Chuck, are you warm enough with just that blanket? Do you want me to get your jacket?" asked Ellie with concern.

Chuck just nodded his head and let his shoulders sag. Ellie had noticed that her kid brother was slowly retreating into himself. His normally talkative nature had been transplanted with a quiet introspective stranger whose attempts to talk had become less and less frequent.

His response made Ellie's anger flare and she pursed her lips in frustration. The government had taken and taken from him, and now her brother was giving up. She wanted to yell at the unfairness of it all. But she didn't want to upset Chuck by revealing her strong emotions. Ellie had to be strong for him.

Batting down her anger, Ellie laid a comforting hand upon his shoulder and soothingly asked, "Chuck please answer me. Are you alright?"

Her gentle prodding seemed to break through to Chuck for a moment. He shifted and momentarily nestled his cheek against her reassuring hand. In a low voice Chuck replied, "I'm sorry Ellie. I don't need a jacket. The sun feels good upon my face. I was just caught up thinking about old times. I'm sorry I didn't answer." Chuck tried to give her a reassuring smile, but Ellie wasn't fooled.

His response made Ellie berate their situation once more. Over the past few months Chuck never stopped thinking about Sarah. It frustrated Ellie. Chuck sensing Ellie's resentment towards his blond protector, stopped talking about her.

But his sister knew.

Ellie had more than once thought about calling the number that Sarah had provided her, but the amount of security that was involved in protecting Chuck made her hesitate. She didn't think that the blond spy would knowingly expose Chuck, but under Casey's tutelage, Ellie had learned to take Chuck's security as top priority. The events at The Institute still played dramatically in her dreams.

So Ellie didn't make the call.

She wondered whether her unease with her decision was based upon the guilt she secretly felt for hoping that Chuck would forget about Sarah; or the guilt from knowing that she hadn't really tried to circumvent the security surrounding her and brother in order to attempt a call.

"One last thing General," asked Casey trying to hide his discomfort in asking the question yet again. "Have you been able to contact Agent Walker yet?"

General Beckman gave him an irritated stare. "No, Agent Casey. As per protocol, Agent Walker left the hospital almost immediately after your departure and went off the grid. Our attempts to make contact have yet to successful."

Casey looked down at his feet to hide unwilling to share the mixture of feelings that coursed through him with the general.

Seeing Casey's attempt to disengage in their conversation, the General asked pointedly, "Is the Intersect still acting out John?"

Her question jolted Casey and he suddenly felt an overwhelming need to protect Chuck from his bosses. The NSA agent looked up quickly responded, "No, nothing like that General. Chuck is fully cooperating. He is not acting out at all."

Feeling like she didn't have a clear understanding of the situation, the general demanded, "Then what is it John. What has you continuing to ask about Agent Walker's whereabouts?"

Casey tensed at the question. However he used his training to calm himself and he thought carefully about his response. He knew that his answer could do more harm than good.

"I know that Charles Bartowski is a very valuable asset to the government because of the secrets in his head and you've been very generous in providing a comfortable safe house for him to recover… physically…" replied Casey carefully.

The general eyed Casey critically and suddenly barked out, "Agent Casey stop wasting my time and say what you obviously feel the need to say."

Hearing the reprimand in the general's voice, Casey quickly explained, "Chuck Bartowski emotional health isn't good. Agent Walker always kept Chuck centered and he seems to be in free fall. I'm afraid that her absence is hampering his recovery."

The general smirked in dismay and shook her head disgustedly. "I told Graham that their dynamic wasn't good. We knew that Chuck Bartowski gained quite a bit of his emotional stability from his interactions with Agent Walker. I always felt their connection was too strong. I feared that Mr. Bartowski would have these types of difficulties. We were not as unaware as you might think, Agent Casey."

Casey was dismayed by the general's admission. Unwilling to let the moment be wasted, he offered quickly, "Chuck's a valuable asset whose recovery would be greatly aided by the reintroduction of Agent Walker. We established their relationship and it makes sense that Chuck would need…"

General Beckman pounded her hand against her desk to stopping his speech. In an irritated voice she spat out, "John, don't you think we know that? You think that we have been trying to contact Agent Walker?"

"Walker has dropped off the grid and hasn't tried to make contact. It is protocol when a deep cover is compromised, but normally an injured agent does periodic check-ins," explained Beckman.

"But it's my belief that Walker got too involved with the asset and we are seeing her irritation at being left at the hospital. I suspect she has some strong feelings motivating her current actions," offered the general.

"Graham disagrees, but regardless of the reason we have been unable to contact Agent Walker to reunite her with Mr. Bartowski. Regardless of my feelings on the matter, we recognize that beyond Chuck's physical ailments, we need to address his emotional issues as well. Are you satisfied with that response Agent Casey?"

Unable to put together an appropriate reply, Casey simply tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. He was amazed that she apparently had understood the emotional turmoil underneath all their stoic fronts.

Beckman slammed her finger on the keyboard in front of her ending their conference call without another word. Seeing the silent ire of General Beckman and her pique as she ended the transmission, Casey barked out a laugh. With a small smile on his lips, he shook his head in disbelief.

'You sly old coot. I should have known that nothing ever gets past you.'

Bride's Dressing Room

Pasadena, California

Casey stared in shock at Ellie. "I would have bet my mother's fine china that you contacted Walker," remarked Casey in disbelief.

The raven haired doctor stared back at the NSA agent. "Well, I'm astounded too. I can't believe that the government willingly wanted to reunite them. They always made everything so hard," replied Ellie in exasperation.

The young doctor sat down heavily on the settee. "That was always the worst thing about my time away," offered Ellie as she looked at Devon beseechingly. "Even after months of being immersed in their world, I was never trusted. But then again, no one in their world was ever above suspicion, nor was anything ever as it appeared. There was always an agenda."

Ellie placed her hands in her lap and stared down at the engagement ring upon her hand. The ring was a reminder of the world she was now in. There wasn't supposed to be any more lies, nor any omissions in the world that she now wanted so desperately to belong.

"Casey I didn't say that I didn't try to contact her. What I was trying to make you understand was that I didn't want contact her," replied Ellie sadly.

"But Chuck was dying without her. I couldn't ignore that," explained Ellie as she looked pointedly at Casey.

"So you told her that we were at Shadow Mountain?" inquired Casey with censure in his voice.

Ellie hid her face in her hands. She knew that he would see her actions as some type of betrayal to him. It made her head hurt and she worked to keep from crying out in frustration. John was her only friend that really understood what happened to her. She didn't want to jeopardize their friendship, but she was desperate to stop the all the lies and omissions of truth that her time in the spy world had introduced into her life.

Taking a deep breath, Ellie explained, "I tried to contact her, but she had already found us. Sarah didn't believe me. It was just one more thing that she held against me."

Casey ran a hand through his hair and asked more to himself than anyone in the room, "I wonder how she found us then."

Ellie grimaced. "Casey, I'm sorry that I'm the one to tell you this, but you aren't as good a spy as you think you are."

Casey's eyes narrowed and he quickly sized up Devon before leveling his deadly stare at Ellie. "What are you talking about?"

Ellie looked at Casey's scowl and decided that she needed to light the tone of their conversation. She teasingly replied, "Don't give me that look, Casey, it doesn't work on me anymore."

Casey's scowl deepened and Ellie knew that he would not respond to her gentle teasing. With an exhausted sigh, Ellie explained, "Sarah told me how she found us. It's rather ridiculous. But she found because she tracked you."

Ellie's words made Casey's eyes bulge. He prided himself on his ability to do his job and the young doctor seemed to imply that he somehow had allowed Sarah to find them. It infuriated him.

Casey growled angrily and his hands tensed in fists, "You don't know what you are talking about. I would never lead Walker, Fulcrum or anyone else to Chuck."

Ellie took in his clenched fists and the loss of color in his cheeks. She saw Devon tense and she quickly shook her head to keep him from interjecting.

The young doctor wished that she could spare John the truth. She knew that her revelation would be a blow to his professional pride.

Averting her eyes so she didn't have to see his reaction, Ellie explained in a low voice, "It was the bonsai fertilizer."

"What?" asked Casey in confusion. Surely he must have misheard her.

"Sarah told me that she watched for sales of your specialized bonsai tree fertilizer. She found us by tracking you," replied Ellie with more strongly.

Casey looked around the room in shock. He was the consummate professional and he more than once thought that he was only one in this mess who hadn't erred in judgment. He sat down heavily upon the couch. Casey shook his head and mumbled, "Sarah never told me. She let me assume that you were the weak link."

Ellie and Casey exchanged knowing looks. They were both sorry for what had always been left unsaid between them. However, their brief was quickly interrupted by Devon who excitedly asked, "So our kids got back together? I knew they were always meant for each other. How did it happen?"

Casey looked at Devon who was smiling gleefully at the thought that Sarah and Chuck together. The NSA agent realized that it was a good thing and when he thought about the events that transpired, he couldn't help but chuckle. Walker certainly was surprising.

Shadow Mountain Estates

Grand Lake, Colorado ~ One Month Later

Casey, Chuck and Ellie returned to their Shadow Mountain Lakeside lodge late in the day after a full day at the laser eye center. It was the third treatment and the trio had settled into a routine of sorts. They were all in an upbeat mood because Chuck had begun to see some improvement in his eyesight and they were all buoyed by his positive prognosis.

Casey and Ellie had built a camaraderie of sorts. Initially it had been hard on the NSA agent since he wasn't one to share himself, but Ellie was adamant about keeping a steady conversation flowing around Chuck. She had explained that it was important to engage him and the young doctor hoped that continued light conversation would eventually draw her brother out of his depression.

The doctor's plan had initially made Casey wary. He wasn't a natural conversationalist and he was unsure if he could have a 'light' conversation.

But Ellie's natural friendliness had won over the stoic NSA agent and Casey found himself talking amicably with the young doctor. He even had stopped worrying about gaps in their conversation that sometimes occurred as they drove down the picturesque highway back towards their house.

Casey enjoyed their outings to the laser eye center. The crisp fresh air and the friendliness of the Colorado mountain town had done wonders for Chuck's disposition. Casey could see that Chuck's brief visits into town had made him forget the dire circumstances of his situation.

Both Casey and Ellie were quietly relieved when they glimpsed small traces of the old Chuck. They both smiled inwardly as they watched Chuck gently tease their waitress during breakfast at the local diner. Casey even laughed out loud when Chuck started cracking Ray Charles jokes about himself in his dark glasses.

The trio returned home in their upbeat mood and Casey pulled his dark SUV into the garage. The garage was connected to the main house through the kitchen and per protocol they all remained in the vehicle until the garage door was safely closed.

Ellie jumped out of the vehicle and opened the back door to help Chuck into the house while Casey grabbed several bags of groceries that were in the back. The NSA agent made it to the kitchen door first and he entered the code to disengage the security system before he walked into the kitchen and put his packages on the counter.

Suddenly Casey felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Something in the lodge had changed and his intuition started to scream at him. He turned to Ellie who had stopped speaking as she watched Casey's sudden transformation.

The NSA agent urged her to keep talking as he took his gun out from the back of the holster at the center of his back. He opened a cabinet in the kitchen that held several a surveillance monitor where he could cycle through several camera feeds. He scanned the house looking for an intruder.

Seeing nothing in the cameras, Casey let out the breath he had been subconsciously holding. He pulled up the security logs and found no indication that someone had accessed the house or the surrounding grounds. However his unease did not abate and he frowned as he strained his senses to pick up any indication of an intruder.

"Ellie let me do a walk around in the house. I'm going to lock you in the garage. If I don't return in a few minutes, take the SUV and drive to our secondary meeting point. Call Beckman from the road."

The young doctor eyed the NSA agent with wide eyes. Their upbeat mood had suddenly been crushed by the possibility of real danger. Ellie's eyes grew wide and her body started to tremble. Casey could see that Ellie was about to cry.

To both their surprise, Chuck grabbed Ellie and hugged her fiercely. "We will be alright. Casey can handle it. Help me back to the truck," ordered Chuck with resolve.

Ellie was distracted by Chuck's demands and she turned away from the imposing figure of Casey leaving the kitchen with a gun in his hand. Casey watched them enter the garage. Satisfied that they were heeding his commands, he locked the two deadbolts on the door and hid the keys in the kitchen. He then began his patrol of the house.

After several long and tense minutes, Ellie and Chuck heard Casey yelling through the door telling them that everything was alright. They then saw him open the door and pop his head out with a puzzled look upon his face.

"Did you find anything?"

Casey shook in head negatively. "I guess I was imagining things," replied Casey tersely.

Ellie helped Chuck into the kitchen and Casey and Ellie began dinner while Chuck sat at the table deep in thought.

The duo tried to recreate the upbeat mood from earlier in the day, but their momentary bit of drama cast a shadow upon their dinner. Both Casey and Ellie watched Chuck closely attempting to ascertain his mood as he ate silently.

Casey was on high alert throughout diner. His senses continued to scream at him that something wasn't right. The NSA agent was surreptitiously scanning the next room through the open doorway from his dinner chair, when Chuck's arm shot out suddenly.

Chuck grabbed Ellie's arm and he looked forlornly at her. "I am so sorry that I ever got you involved in all this," offered Chuck sadly. The monumental sorrow in her brother's voice made Ellie want to cry. She stood up and hugged him. "Honey…I know it's not your fault."

The family moment made Casey uncomfortable and he stood up quickly and mumbled that he was going to take another look around the house.

When Casey returned, Ellie was clearing the table and wiping a solitary tear from her cheek. Seeing her sad expression, Casey wanted to ask about her but instead he asked, "Is the kid alright?"

Ellie gave him a wry smile. "I'm sure he will be fine. He's upset and has gone to bed. He just forgot about all the danger for awhile. I guess we both did."

She carried a few dishes into the kitchen and returned with a thoughtful look upon her face. Giving Casey a half smile, she asked "Are you sure you don't know what got your Spiderman senses acting up?"

Casey chuckled. "You sound like your brother."

Ellie laughed at her joke and it seemed to lighten their mood. They went into the living room and plopped down on the couch. Casey grabbed a book and Ellie flipped on the television.

Ellie began watching a romantic comedy but noticed that Casey was making odd sounds every so often. Watching him from the corner of her eye, she noticed him roll his eyes numerous times and actually snort.

"You know snorting is very unbecoming," remarked Ellie as she watched Casey exhibit his obvious disdain over the movie she was watching.

Her comment was all the catalyst he needed to begin speaking. "How can you watch that drivel? It's totally unrealistic."

Ellie laughed and Casey began a long tirade on how television was slowly deadening the collective brainpower of America's youth.

She plopped her head upon her hands and smiled in amusement at at how serious Casey was in his beliefs about the detrimental nature of television.

Her serious face bursting with glee, she couldn't stop her laughing at Casey's response when she playfully asked, "Well if that's true, how do you explain my brother the brain?"

Around ten, Casey got up to make popcorn for them and he did a quick walk around the house before rejoining Ellie.

She grinned at him as she grabbed her bowl of popcorn. "Spidey sense again?"

Casey rolled his eyes at her teasing and he grabbed the remote control off her lap quickly and switched the channel to the news which he told Ellie was manly and promoted brain power in his estimation.

She threw at pillow at his head and he laughed at himself. However even with their easy camaraderie, he just couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

Around midnight, a dark clad ninja like figure slowly inched his way down from the top of the tall closet in the hallway. With stealth like movements, the figure moved down the hallway making sure that each of his footsteps was silently muffled.

When the figure reached the door, he deftly grabbed the doorknob and silently opened the door just enough to enter the room before closing the door behind them.

At the doorway, the figure stopped and stared at the dark haired man who slept on the bed that was positioned across the room.

The figure slowly made his way towards the bed and stood above the sleeping man.

Sensing that someone was watching him, the man woke up. With a sense of dread the brown haired man whispered, "Is someone there?" as he struggled to find the lamp on his nightstand.

The stealth figure grabbed the man's wrist which frightened the man. He let out a yelp before the figure placed a calming finger across his lips.

"Sarah?" asked Chuck, as he stopped flaying about.

The dark clad figure reached up and tore off the mask she was wearing and shook out her golden flock of hair. "It's me," whispered the blond agent as sat beside Chuck and took in his glazed eyes. She frowned sadly as she realized that he couldn't see her.

Knowing that he couldn't see her she suddenly melted upon him desperate to connect with him. She grabbed his head and kissed him hard as she attempted to telegraph her strong emotions for him.

Chuck was momentarily taken back by her passionate kiss. But his longing for her quickly took over as he felt the overwhelming need to entangle himself in her. He felt her invade him with her tongue and it made him cry out in hunger as his defenses melted. He feverently kissed her back and grabbed her head forcefully as he took command of their kiss.

He wanted to drink in the vision of her. His eyes strained vainly as he tried to catch a glimpse her. He growled low in his throat when he realized that his eyes had failed him. But then his other senses kicked into overdrive and they threatening to overwhelm him. His body turned hyper-sensitive as he took in the feel of her skin, the scent of her hair, the taste of her lips. He was in freefall as his body absorbed her in.

Panting heavily, he tore his lips from her neck. His heart was racing and he urged it to slow down. It knew it was too soon to be this close to the edge. He pushed her back and asked, "Is this a dream?"

Sarah chuckled and replied, "If it's a dream…then I'm dreaming too. Besides, in the morning I think I'm going to have a mark on my neck from you."

Chuck looked embarrassed but she just grinned and traced a loving hand across his brow. Sarah moved so that she straddled Chuck upon the bed. "I've waited so long for this."

The blonde agent stared intently at Chuck's face as she guided his hands to her breasts. Her heart skipped when she saw the awe in his face as he touched her. Suddenly his face turned to raw need and it spurred a waterfall of emotions as she felt his presence tug at everything that was feminine in her. Letting out a cry of joy, she bent down and captured his lips with her own. She let the hunger for his taste rocket through her system.

They kissed with a burning need. Neither had been sure that they would ever see each other again. They embraced fiercely unwilling to allow any space between their bodies, all the while caught up in the feel and taste of each other's lips.

Suddenly Chuck grabbed Sarah's shoulders and he sat up so that she was nestled in his lap. The pressure of her against him made him growl with unmet need. He pulled her in tightly against his chest and ground pushed her down into his lap. She followed up with her own low growl as she felt the hardness of him near her aching need.

His breath ragged, he worked to gain control of his body as he held her writhing form. Chuck fought the urge to take her mouth which was mere inches from his own. He needed her in so many ways, but now he had to tell her what was in his heart.

Breathing deeply to take in her scent, Chuck nuzzled in mouth near her ear as he whispered, "I thought I'd never see you again. I thought I'd never get a chance to love you." Unable to stop himself, he seized her earlobe between his lips and bit down gently until he felt her respond.

Sarah arched into him and nuzzled her mouth near his his ear. "Chuck I've missed you so much. You are so a part of me," explained Sarah, as she ran her fingers through his hair. Wanting him to tremble, she focused her tongue upon his ear.

Satisfied with his response, Sarah let out a groan. Her body shook with the need to feel more of him. She grabbed the tail end of his shirt and pulled it up and off of him. Mesmorized by the view, she pushed Chuck down upon the bed and smiled as her fingers explored the contours of his chest.

Sarah simply reveled in the feel of him in her hands. It was intoxicating and she knew it wasn't going to stop. She grabbed his shoulders and embraced him as she murmured, "I love you," before her lips found another tender spot upon his neck.

Chuck couldn't get enough of the woman in his arms. It was beyond his wildest dreams that she was here with him; professing her love for him.

His body was trembling and he couldn't stop the smile upon his face as recognized the erratic beating of her heart upon his chest as she strained against him. He couldn't tell whose hands were more desperate as he cupped and caressed her and she pushed her body into him, mimicking their act to come.

Sarah was everything to him. His heart raced when he felt her tremble as his hands dipped under her shirt and he began to run his fingers up and down her spine. He wanted her so much.

"Sarah, I need…" pleaded Chuck into her ear. But any admissions were stopped as she hungrily captured his mouth with hers.

After several long minutes she broke off their kiss for air. Cupping his face, Sarah looked at him longingly. "I know what you need." murmured Sarah as she took small love bites along his jaw. "I need it too."

Chuck grabbed her head and forced her to look at him. "I need you now. But I don't understand how you are here," replied Chuck feverishly.

"We'll talk later," replied Sarah as her hands startled to explore the length of his chest. His breath hitched when she reached below his navel. Tearing her eyes away from her hands, Sarah looked up into his eyes.

"But right now," whispered Sarah breathlessly, "I just want you."

Casey woke up on the couch with Ellie's head on his shoulder. She was fast asleep and splayed out on the couch next to him. He moved his bowl of popcorn that sat precariously on the edge of the couch and covered Ellie with a blanket.

He was about to switch off the television when he heard a strange sound. His senses went into overdrive and he stealthily got to his feet and pulled out his gun.

Casey moved quickly through the living room and into the hallway that led to the bedroom where Chuck slept.

As he headed down the hallway he heard a series of noises from Chuck's room.

His heart quickened as he thought of all the possible tortures that his charge might be facing. Steeling himself for the worst, the NSA moved quickly to the door and burst through it with his gun raised.

His mind reeled as he took in the sight before him. He saw Chuck and Sarah upon the bed. His charge was shirtless and a darkly clad Sarah Walker was straddling him.

Casey stood in the doorway in shock. His gun fell to his side as he took in the scene.

Chuck's hands stopped and he was about to speak when he saw Sarah brush a finger to his lips. Sarah looked over her shoulder at Casey with a challenge in her eyes.

The NSA agent took in her fierce appearance that he would later liken to a mountain lion guarding her cub. Even with her back to him, Casey could feel the animosity in her eyes as she looked at him.

Casey momentarily considered charging into the room and pulling Sarah off his asset. But his inner voice stopped him as he took in the strong emotions on Chuck's face. Casey recognized that the young man needed her; and by the fierce look on Sarah's face, it was blatently clear that she was willing to fight before she relinquished her spot atop him.

With a sigh, the NSA agent's shoulders sagged. Casey pinched his lips in displeasure at the thought that he had ventured in on their lovemaking. He reached for the doorknob to escape.

As he pulled the door closed, Casey stopped when he caught a reflection of light as Sarah shifted positions. Casey tensed when he realized that the hallway light had reflected against her gun that she had stealthily hid in the sheets in front of her.

Casey brow furled as he looked up into Sarah's eyes. Her eyes were fierce and cold. She was indeed ready to fight. He momentarily contemplated raising his gun.

They stared intently at each other for a moment before Casey willed himself to relax. Sensing that Casey was standing down, Sarah gave him a deadly smile and turned her attention back to Chuck effectively dismissing Casey from the room.

Casey stood in the doorway immobile for a second as he contemplated the change in his relationship with Sarah. However he was jolted back to reality when he saw Sarah grab Chuck's hands and slip them under her shirt near her breasts.

Embarrassed by the intimacy of the moment, Casey quickly closed the door, but not before he saw the milky white back of Sarah Walker.

Entering the living room, Ellie turned towards Casey and took in his face. She stretched out lazily and asked, "John, what's wrong?"

He stared at the young doctor for a moment and frowned. Things were going to change dramatically.

Steeling himself, he watched Ellie's face turn chalky as he replied, "Sarah's back and she's not happy with us."

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Thanks BR and Sharp for the Beta. I did lots of re-writes based upon their comments. All new errors are my own.