A/N: Thank you for all the kind reviews and comments. I really enjoy the feedback. I hope everyone enjoys the new chapter. Thank you again to michaelfmx for all his help and beta services. I don't own Chuck or any of its characters. Enjoy.
Smith just looked at his phone. "I have to say I like it when Chuck has a little bravado about him. Underneath every boy scout is a little bit of darkness. All you have to do is give it the proper motivation and it will reveal itself," Smith said with a laugh.
"I told you that Chuck's loyalty would be his lynch pin. Now that we have given it a pull, it won't take long for everything Chuck holds dear to come crumbling down," Jill replied.
"Jill, do you remember when you first joined our organization? You had no idea what was happening around you, and now here you are playing a pivotal role in making our dream become a reality," Smith said.
Jill thought back to when she first joined Smith. There was so much she didn't know back then.
Flashback:
"So what do you think of our humble abode? We have everything you will ever need, and don't worry, soon we will have completely wiped your identity and you will be able to walk free," Smith commented.
Jill was still taking everything in. Just days ago she was on her own running from an enemy that would never give up. "So all of this is for the search and capture of one Bryce Larkin? Hard to believe that he, of all people, is the most sought after man in the world." Jill said with a little bit of a laugh.
Smith bellowed out a large laugh. "I almost forgot that you still don't know the Intersect's little secret. The funny part is that Fulcrum had the Intersect in its hands. Literally, you actually had it in your hands," Smith mustered out between laughs.
"What do you mean I had the Intersect in my hands? I haven't seen Bryce in who knows how long, and now you want to say I had him in my grasp? You're crazy," Jill responded defensively.
"There you go, being short-sighted again. Did you ever wonder why everyone wanted the World to think that Bryce Larkin was the Intersect? The Government has been playing a giant game of misdirection. You see, while everyone is focused on Bryce no one is looking for the true Intersect. Right in front of you, working at your local Buy More," Smith said.
"What do you mean working at the local Buy More? The only government agent that works at the Buy More is John Casey and he is not the Intersect." Jill thought about what Smith was saying. How could the Intersect be at the Buy More. There was no one there qualified the Government would trust with that kind of power. Then it hit her like a bullet. The only person at the Buy More that would fit Smith's idea was Chuck. "You want me to believe that Chuck is the Intersect?" Jill asked.
"Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Tell the lady what she won," Smith laughed. "You see, Mr. Bartowski was sent the Intersect by one Agent Larkin. Now the Government forces Chuck to help Sarah Walker's and John Casey's Government sanctioned missions," Smith said with a smile.
"So let me get this straight, you want me to believe that all the Government's secrets are in Chuck's head. You are crazier than I thought. Great, just great. I've agreed to work for a mad man." Jill's rant was interrupted by the loud bang of a file hitting the table in front of her. "What's this?" Jill asked.
"That is all the proof you will need to that Chuck is the Intersect. Take your time and read up. When you're ready to listen come into my office and we can talk," Smith said as he left the room.
Jill read the file in front of her and had to admit she was surprised. Chuck wasn't only the Intersect, but he was also a hero. He seemed to always be willing to put himself in danger to either save the day or his team. Jill stood up from the table and headed into Smith's office. "So let's say that I believe what your file says. What is your organization's obsession with Chuck?" Jill asked.
"Glad you could ask. Our obsession isn't with Chuck per say. It's with information. Who's the scariest man in the room? The one with all the muscle or the ones with all the secrets? You see, we believe that it is the man with all the secrets. When you know everyone's dirty little secrets, you negate their muscle. That is what the Intersect represents. It's all the Government's secrets wrapped up with a bow. If we can control the Intersect, we can control it all," Smith replied.
"Why do you need me if you already know that Chuck is the Intersect? Surely you have enough fire power to grab him and make him disappear?" Jill asked.
"Jill, you are being short-sighted again!" Smith snapped." You aren't with Fulcrum anymore. You need to start looking at the big picture. Right now the Intersect is limited. Yes, it has the NSA's and the CIA's secrets, but we want more. We want everyone's secrets. The only way to get that is to ensure that the Intersect is a success. We are hedging our bets that Chuck can make this thing work, and with his continued success, the Government will only want to evolve the Intersect further. That's why we don't just grab Chuck. We want him to succeed," Smith commented.
"What about his team? Do you think that Sarah and Casey can be trusted to help Chuck succeed?" Jill asked.
"Do you really have to ask? You saw how they behaved towards each other. Chuck has at least compromised Sarah, and honestly he has probably gotten to Casey as well. We have been watching Chuck since he got his gift. Really I'm kind of tired of the whole will they or won't they between Chuck and Miss Walker. I wish they would just get on with it already. I mean, who do they think they're fooling," Smith said with a laugh.
Present day:
"We've manipulated everything in Chuck's life since the day he got the Intersect. He has outperformed even our expectations. We pointed anyone we could find at Chuck and he out lasted them all. The Government did exactly what we thought they would. They took Team Bartowski's success and doubled down on their Intersect dream. Do you think Chuck even realizes all the secrets that are in his head?" Smith questioned.
"I'd say Chuck is clueless about the extent and depth of the information in his head. We have manipulated everything to such an extent that I am positive nobody in the Government knows what is going on. Smith, you have shown me the true power of the Intersect. At first I thought the Intersect was just a weapon to be wielded, but now I see that the Intersect is actually just a means to an end. Are you really going to let Chuck go?" Jill asked.
"I'm the bad guy. I don't think I've ever been accused of being a man of my word. Besides, by the time I'm done with Chuck he'll be begging to join us. The next step is the mission and then we convince Chuck to help us." Smith just laughed as he knew that everything that he and his organization had been working for was coming to fruition. Since they had discovered the Intersect they had done everything to push its growth. When September 11th happened, they used their connections to push the reformation of the Intersect project. That is how they functioned. They took events from the outside world and used them to accomplish their ultimate goals. Now, everything they had worked for was right in front them. All they had to do was manipulate one little nerd and they would have it all.
Chuck sat in the courtyard next to the fountain engulfed in silence. The world around him was so quiet all Chuck could do was think about the chaos that was his life. He was stuck in a deadly game and all he could hope was that his plan would allow him to come out victorious. The plan was in full motion. Chuck stared at the fountain in front of him. The water cascading from tier to tier was hypnotic. The bubbling soothed Chuck into a trance. The calming effect of the water allowed Chuck's mind to relax after the events that had just passed. He thought back to the real revelation of Casey's news.
Flashback: Castle secure room.
"Ok Chuck, what is this plan Sarah says you've cooked up?" Casey asked.
"Smith is always one move ahead of us. They've been watching us for at least five years. The way I see it, the only chance we have at survival is to flip the script. We have to use Smith's arrogance against him. We have to bring the battle to him," Chuck commented.
A grin slowly appeared on Casey's face. Chuck was showing some backbone and he had to believe that he was a big reason Chuck was able to do that. "Ok moron, what is my part in all of this?" Casey asked.
"Before we get into the who, what, when, where, and how's, there is something else we need to discuss. Smith and his organization have been watching us and they believe that they know everything there is to know about us. We can use that to our advantage. Smith is going to try to divide us, or at least make us question our allegiances. Here and now we need to lay it all out. If there are any secrets or lies between us we need to tell each other now," Chuck said as he looked over at Sarah and Casey. He knew what he was asking, but there was no choice. It was better to air everything out on their terms and not Smith's. Chuck allowed his gaze to wonder between Sarah and Casey. He knew he had nothing to share, but he knew that their relationship hadn't always been the family one that is was now.
"Chuck, I don't keep secrets from you. You know that. There are still things in my past that I haven't shared, but nothing Smith can use against us. My family is….well, complicated. You have met my dad so you know what I mean," Sarah said.
Chuck and Sarah both turned their gaze to Casey. He was being awfully quiet, even for him. Casey let out a slight grunt and turned towards Chuck. "I think you and I need to have a man to man conversation," Casey replied.
"Come on Casey, you know anything you need to say to me, you can say in front of Sarah. We don't have any secrets between us," Chuck replied.
"I understand all of that Bartowski, but this is big. I also like all my limbs where they are currently attached, and when your wife hears this I am not sure they will remain there," Casey said.
Chuck and Sarah shared a concerned glance. What could have the mighty Casey so on edge? What secret could he have that had him worried about his wellbeing with his own team.
"Casey, I promise to hear you out before I react," Sarah replied.
"Fine then, but don't say I didn't warn you. It goes back to the beginning of Operation Bartowski. Graham and Beckman were desperately trying to get the Intersect back online," Casey started.
Sarah thought back to those days. When Chuck was just the Intersect and nothing more. Not like that was true to her. Maybe to Graham and Beckman he was just the Intersect, but his charm made quick work of her right from the beginning. She had always feared what would have happened if Chuck's replacement came online, and now she had a sinking feeling Casey was about to reveal that her fears weren't without merit.
"They were finally able to get the new Intersect off the ground when we apprehended Mr. Colt and got the cypher from him. With the new Intersect almost online) I got an order from our commanding officers. I was to eliminate the first Intersect." Casey paused, unsure what the reaction to this news would be.
Upon hearing these words Chuck quickly turned to Sarah. He placed both his hands on her shoulders) keeping her in her chair. "Remember Sarah, you agreed to hear him out," Chuck reminded her.
"I know I agreed to hear him out, but that was before I knew that he was ordered to kill you. What am I supposed to do? Just sit here and listen to some explanation about honor and orders, because he wouldn't have the spine to go against the powers that be?" Sarah yelled in anger while giving Casey a glare that would have killed a lesser man.
"Sarah, please hear him out for me. I'm sure there is a lot more to it," Chuck pleaded.
Sarah gave Chuck a nod and returned her death stare towards one John Casey. Chuck turned to Casey and began to speak, but before he could get a word out a knife whizzed past his ear and embedded itself in the wall next to Casey's head. Chuck returned his gaze to Sarah, giving her a confused look.
"Just wanted to let him know what is going to happen if I don't like the rest of his story," Sarah commented.
Chuck just shook his head and turned his attention back to the matter at hand.
I was the first Intersect. You were ordered to eliminate me. Why?" Chuck asked.
"Chuck, Graham and Beckman were concerned with having the Government's secrets out there walking freely. They couldn't trust that someone wouldn't discover your identity and then capture and torture you for the intel," Casey replied.
"Ok, so the order was given, but you didn't go through with it. That means no harm no foul. Am I right? You didn't try to go through with it, did you? I mean obviously you didn't go through with it, because John Casey always get his man. But I'm standing right here quite alive, so that means you stopped it. You put those two in their place, right Casey? Right Casey," Chuck yelled.
Sarah listened to the exchange between two of the most important people in her life. She always knew this kind of order was a possibility, but she never imagined John Casey would have gone through with it. Yes, John was a hard ass, by the book Marine, but even he would admit that Chuck had gone above and beyond the call of duty. A call that he never chose, but instead one that was forced upon him. Sarah thought she knew her partner. He was the best partner she had ever had. They have had their ups and downs, but this took the cake. The truth of the matter was that her anger wasn't due so much about the order, but more due to the fact that her partner and friend had kept it from her all this time. If he would have told her about the order, she could have protected Chuck. The idea that, at any time, Chuck could have been taken from her and Casey knew about it all along was difficult to get her head around. That was a betrayal Sarah couldn't forgive.
"Chuck, I fought to have the order canceled, but they wouldn't have it. I told them you were an American hero that had never asked for any of this, and you served your country honorably. They agreed about your service, but that you could die serving your country as well. Chuck, I had you in my sites that night, but I don't know what I was going to do," Casey stopped his confession to look at his team. Suddenly, Chuck was in his face.
"What do you mean I was in your sites? You actually had a gun pointed at me! You were going to shoot me because you were ordered to? I know we haven't always seen eye to eye, but really, you could shoot me even back then? I know I didn't listen. Stay in the car Chuck. Don't be a hero Chuck. Don't get your panties in a bunch moron. I heard it all from you, but I would have never thought it would have sunk to that level," Chuck replied, clearly letting his emotions get the better of him.
"Chuck, I had you in my sites but I don't think I could have pulled the trigger. Even in the beginning I respected you. Maybe I didn't always show it, but you served your country without ever being asked. The first night with the bomb, you ran in head first without hesitation. You knew people were in danger and you did what needed to be done. Not everyone can do that, and you did it time and time again. I didn't always agree with your methods, and there were times you frustrated me to levels I didn't know possible, but killing you was never an option I considered…until I got that termination order," Casey responded.
The two men continued to argue back and forth as Sarah sat at the conference table, numb with shock. All of this was news to her. Could everything have really ended before it ever began? She knew the Government was capable of untold horrors, but she had always hoped that this particular horror would never come to pass. She thought that Chuck's charm had affected all of them in its own ways. Suddenly she could not take anymore. "Stop it! Both both of you," Sarah yelled, bringing herself out of her own thoughts.
Chuck and Casey stopped, both turning their eyes to her. In all their time together they both knew not to cross Sarah when she took that tone. "Okay Casey, I promised to hear you out, but you'd better hurry up and say something that is going to stop me from doing what I'm about to do," Sarah said as she removed another knife from the sheath strapped to her leg.
Chuck calmed himself and looked at Sarah. She gave him a look that told him to back down. Chuck took a deep breath and slowly walked to her side. The couple looked at Casey. Sarah gave him a nod.
"Okay, well I guess here goes. I have thought about that night often since it happened. We had just apprehend Colt and reclaimed the cypher. Graham and General Beckman contacted me to inform me of the next part of my mission. I tried to change their mind, but, as I mentioned, to no avail. I knew that Sarah was arriving for dinner later that evening. I thought about waiting until after your dinner was over, but then I made a decision. I knew Sarah was compromised, and I knew that you didn't deserve to be terminated…. not this way and not by me. I decided to wait until after she arrived. She would stop me, and she would protect you no matter what. Here is the part you both need to understand. I needed them to think that I was going to go through with the mission, because I wanted to be assigned to finding you. That way I could steer the investigation away from you giving you two a chance. Then, when the Intersect was destroyed I made another decision. I was never going to allow this situation to repeat itself. Remember the identities I gave you to run from Decker? I created those identities specifically for you two."
Sarah heard his words, and her anger began to slowly subside. John Casey wasn't the best with expressing feelings, hell neither was she. But right there, with that last comment, he had said exactly what she needed to know. Casey had done everything he could to protect them. Yes, she might not agree with his methods, but she understood them. She looked at Casey and at Chuck. She wasn't quite sure how she got here but she was happy she had. The old Sarah wouldn't have let Casey get past his first proclamation. Now though, with some help from Chuck, she was able to do something she never thought possible…forgive.
Chuck and Sarah looked at each other. Neither one of them really knew how to respond. They turned back to Casey. "Why didn't you tell us about this before now?" Chuck asked.
"Chuck, I needed all my superiors to think that I was still willing to go through with it. If I told you and Sarah what happened, you would have let your lady feelings out and Beckman would have known that I was compromised. Then the next order would have been a surprise to all of us. That is why I made those identies up. I had multiple contingency plans put together for your escape. Look, I don't know what you want me to say. I have said more feelings stuff in the last ten minutes then I have in my entire life." Casey's apology was interrupted by a strike from Sarah, but it wasn't the strike he had expected. He assumed he would be in multiple pieces by now praying for a quick demise, but instead he was wrapped in a hug. My God Bartowski has really made us soft, he thought.
"Okay Walker, I know the what here, but I have to say the why is eluding me at the moment. I just admitted I was ordered to kill your husband and your response is to give me a hug," Casey shrugged.
Casey looked over at Chuck and they both exchanged a confused look.
"Casey, I'm trying the Bartowski way. You know, since I am one now. I'm forgiving you. Ellie and Chuck both forgave me when I forgot everything. They did it because we're family, and with everything you just said your family too," Sarah replied.
Chuck was still angry, but the look on Sarah's face and her message was enough to melt his heart. Not like he could ever argue with her anyway. "Sarah, you know you are dangerously close to being sappy."
Sarah rolled her eyes at Chuck and returned her focus to Casey. "I know the two of you have to probably grunt a few more times, bump chests, and whatever else you two need to do to iron this out," Sarah said as she walked out of the room.
Casey and Chuck looked at each other. "Well this is a first," Casey commented.
"What's that?" Chuck asked.
"I think this is the first time I have witnessed you speechless Bartowski," Casey replied.
"Well, I'm a little in shock. Found out one of my best friends was ordered to kill me, and then to top it off, my wife goes and shows her lady feelings and forgives him. I would have really thought she would have at least thrown a few more knifes your way. That woman never ceases to amaze me. Casey I believe you when you say you wouldn't have gone through with it. I also know you would have done anything to stop that order happening again. Guess I still have to have a talk with a certain fiery red head, but there will be a better time for that down the road." Chuck extended his hand towards Casey. Chuck wasn't completely okay with the information that he had just been given, but he knew he could trust his team and this was exactly the type of information that Smith would try to use against them.
Casey let out a quiet grunt and shook Chuck's hand. He knew that this group had become more than a team over the years. They had become a family, and together he knew they could get through this. These were the two best spies that he had ever had the privilege of working with. "Ok, now that we have all of this out of the way, can we please get back to the plan?" Casey inquired.
"Fine. Let's get everybody back in here and get the show on the road," Chuck replied.
Present day:
Chuck came out of his thoughts. It was time to get the show on the road. It wasn't going to take Smith long to figure out what the team was up to. Chuck stood up and left the courtyard. Hopefully soon, he and Sarah would be enjoying their dream house, but first there was an evil mastermind to knock down a peg or two.
Chuck entered Castle. He took in the scene in front of him. Casey was secured in a holding cell with Verbanski. Morgan and Sarah were both pacing in the conference room. Chuck had a feeling that Smith had bought their little performance. He just hoped that they could keep the charade going. His plan hinged on Smith feeling in control. As Chuck was about to address his team, Smith appeared on the monitor behind Sarah and Morgan.
"Oh Team Bartowski, I'm so sorry to see you all in disarray, but, ah who am I kidding, I love it. Now that we have that out of the way, it is time to for some mission prep. Remember that Intersect room you guys just destroyed a few weeks ago?" Smith asked.
"Quinn destroyed that room," Sarah replied.
"I think we're splitting hairs at this point. The room was destroyed and you guys were all there. You might have thought that when that room was destroyed that the Intersect was destroyed with it. Well that isn't entirely true. That room housed the Intersect glasses and an upload chamber yes, but it didn't house the actual Intersect. After the Intersect had been destroyed a couple of times and uploaded by the wrong people, the Government wised up. They split the Intersect into multiple steps. The intel from all the branches of the military, the FBI, the CIA, the DEA, the NSA, and well you get the picture, is collected on a regular basis. This intel all funnels into multiple locations and is slowly filtered until it is all loaded in the Intersect. The new Intersect in your brain, Chuck, has everyone's secrets loaded into it. All this Intel is uploaded at multiple locations. Then the Intel travels over dedicated fiber optic lines from multiple locations to the main hub. You see Chuck, the people involved at all the multiple locations have no idea that the other locations exist. The only place all the data connects is at the final upload site, and very few people know where this final step happens," Smith said.
"And let me guess you know exactly where this location is?" Chuck asked.
Smith didn't say anything he just pointed at Chuck and then placed his finger on his nose. "You see Chuck, from the final location the data is placed on a pair of Intersect glasses. Then multiple pairs of glasses leave the location and only the true Intersect pair goes to the room that you destroyed. All the other pairs are fakes and go to facilities spread out across the country. All you have to do is break into the final upload site and hack the information before it can be loaded into the Intersect glasses. You know, easy in and out job," Smith said with a laugh.
"So let me get this straight. You want us to intercept intel that comes from multiple secure facilities and goes to what I am assuming is an even more secure facility that nobody knows the location of? Then you want me to syphon off that Intel to you and allow you to have back door access to all the Government's secrets. Smith, I think that you over estimate what my team is capable of. Oh and don't forget you decided to drop your bomb, so now the Team is down one member," Chuck replied.
"Oh, can't you and Casey kiss and make up?" Smith asked with smile on his face. "Come on Chuck. One little termination order and you're willing to throw away years of friendship? You know Chuck, if you were a member of our organization you would never have to worry about such an order. We would use you to your full potential. Just something to think about," Smith added.
"Smith, you can stop with the mind games. I will handle this team however I see fit, so why don't you keep your opinion to yourself," Chuck commented back.
"What do you mean you will handle this team? We're a team Chuck, don't forget that," Sarah pleaded.
"Right now Sarah, I just need everybody to shut up and listen to me. This isn't up for any kind of discussion. Smith and I have a deal. We complete this mission and he is going to leave us all alone."
"Hey, hold the phone. Did you make a deal with Smith without talking to us?" Morgan asked.
"Yes Morgan, I did. I'm doing what's best for this team and for my family. Morgan, you just need to stay in Castle and keep out of the way. We aren't playing Call of Duty here. This is real. I don't have time to keep everybody happy," Chuck snapped.
"Oh, I see how it is. You can decide what's best for all of us and do whatever you want. What happened to us being in this together? We're a team and, more importantly, a family. You can't make decisions like this without us," Sarah yelled.
"Everybody stop," Chuck yelled.
Chuck turned away from the monitor and gave Sarah a quick wink. "This is my op now. Smith and I have a deal and I plan on holding up my end of the bargain. You guys can either decide to be with me or against me, but I will do it with or without you," Chuck ordered.
"Wow, never thought I would see the day when Team Bartowski would be at each other like this. Who would have thought that little old me could cause all of this disarray," Smith added to the conversation. "Tell you what, I will get the Intel to you while you guys figure out your issues. Just don't forget Chuck, part of the deal was this op goes exactly as I say." With that Smith disappeared from the screen.
Chuck signaled for everyone to meet in the secure room. Sarah and Morgan turned and exited the conference room. Chuck took a deep breath. Now they know the mission, and with any luck they will be able to keep up the charade long enough to bring Smith and his organization to justice.
Smith looked at Jill with a huge smile on his face. "Well, I guess you could say Operation Chaos is going exactly as we intended," Smith said.
"I agree, but don't you think it's going too well?" Jill asked.
"You see, that is the one weakness of Team Bartowski. Their sense of family. They feel like they know and can trust each other. When you remove that, those same traits turn into hurt, distrust, and anger. Now all we have to do is continue to apply pressure. We've studied this team for years and we know all of their moves. They rely on their trust and loyalty, and now that we have shaken that it won't take much to break it," Smith answered.
"What about the mission?" Jill asked.
"The mission will succeed. We might have to help a little bit, but they will get the Intel. We've shaken the team, but I don't think we can shake Chuck and Sarah. They always seem to stay together no matter what happens. It's just another thing we can use against them. Everything is going exactly according to plan. It's just a matter of time before Chuck joins us and we have everything that we have worked for. So what do you say Jill? Let's get to work." Smith just smirked unaware that he wasn't the only one playing mind games on this particular mission.
Moss grew up the east side of the building. To the north, windows were boarded or broken. It was a building time forgot. No sign of what this building used to be. A building that while in its prime, was quite a sight to behold. It was at the center of the intelligence community. In its glory (days,) every spy dreamed of working there. It was a secret CIA substation during the cold war. Now it sat abandoned, or so they make you think. In all reality the most important and powerful weapon sat hidden behind its halls. The secrets it held were worth more than any one person could imagine. Sitting in front of the building was a spy team. It might not be the most tradional spy team, but it might be one of the best.
"So let me get this straight. We're going to break into this top secret Government facility and steal all its secrets and hand them over to a madman?" Morgan asked.
"I know Morgan, this isn't the best plan we've ever had, but it's the only plan we have," Chuck replied.
"Oh no Chuck, I'm not questioning you. I learned with Volkoff, if Chuck Bartowski has a plan it's going to be a good one. I just wanted to double check before we do this," Morgan commented.
"Now that you two have that all squared away, let's review the plan," Casey interjected.
"The plan, right. The plan where we break into a Government facility with more security than Fort Knox, oh and ya, we do it without being detected," Sarah replied.
"What Walker, you getting soft on me?" Casey asked.
"Soft. You're joking right? This stuff is a walk in the park compared to protecting the Intersect," Sarah joked as she gave Chuck a wink.
"Come on guys, it wasn't all bad. I know I could be a pain, but you have to admit I brought a pretty good vibe to our stake outs," Chuck joked.
"Oh my God. I'm surrounded by amateurs," Gertrude barked.
"Just another day in the life of Operation Bartowski. Don't worry, you get used to it. Well kinda," Casey remarked.
"You hear that Chuck? Casey just gave you a compliment. He just admitted that we have grown on him," Morgan added.
"Hey numbnuts. Don't make me regret letting you tag along. Oh, and don't forget," Casey said as he was quickly interrupted.
"I know, stay in the van Morgan. Chuck, did you ever get used to getting ordered to stay in the van?" Morgan questioned.
"Morgan, he would of had to actually stay in the car to know if he ever got used to it," Sarah replied.
"Ok guys, I say we get this little mission back on point. Remember, Smith still thinks we can't stand each other right now. Once we leave this van he'll be listening. We need this to go down exactly as we planned. We almost have all the leverage we need to flip the script. If we can do this) we might just survive this," Chuck added.
The unconventional team sat ready to storm a building that would cause even the most seasoned agents to soil themselves. Not this team. They had been in this situation so many times before that this just seemed like another day in the office. They were all in and it was time to play the hand of their lives.
"Ok, everybody get into positon. Once we breach the perimeter we won't have much time. We get one shot at this, so we'd better make it count," Chuck ordered.
"Casey and Verbanski in position," Casey replied.
"Sarah and I are ready to go," Chuck responded.
"Ok then, here we go," Sarah said as the teams breached the building's exterior.
Morgan sat in the van for what seemed like an eternity. The plan was for them to be in and out in ten minutes. Morgan continued to look at his watch and at the monitors, which displayed security feeds that Chuck had been able to tap into. The timer on Morgan's watch was counting down and getting dangerously close to the point of no return. If his team didn't get out of there soon it was going to cause a huge problem. Just then, Chuck and Sarah appeared on his monitor. They were rushing towards the exit. Morgan couldn't tell what was unfolding in front of him, but he knew he'd better be ready to leave in a hurry. He quickly moved to the front of the van and prepared for a quick getaway. Suddenly, the doors opened and Casey and Verbanski burst in.
"Where are Walker and the Moron?" Casey asked as he tried to catch his breath.
Before Morgan was able to answer Chuck and Sarah appeared from behind the building in a full sprint. "Go, go, go, Morgan," Chuck yelled.
Morgan started the van and began to roll out as Chuck and Sarah leaped in the side door, closing it behind them.
"That looked like fun," Morgan joked.
Chuck gave Morgan a quick eye roll then looked around the van to ensure that his team was still intact. He had to admit he was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were they all intact, but they had accomplished their mission. His team…no his family, never ceased to amaze him.
"So was the mission a success?" Morgan asked.
Chuck held up a tablet in his hand, a large grin appearing on his face.
"Good, good. Now I can breathe," Morgan replied as he turned his attention back to the road.
"Well, what do you guys say we take the fight to Smith's door?" Chuck asked.
All Team Bartowski could do was smile. They finally had the final piece of the puzzle to bring Smith down, and nothing was going to stop them from using it.