A/N: Thank you again for all your support in the journey of writing this story. Also a large thank you to michaelfmx for his beta services. I hope you enjoy this new chapter. Look forward to everyone's reviews and comments. I don't own Chuck or any of it characters.

The tension in Castle could be cut with a knife. Mary Bartowski wanted her family together again. She had extracted Devon, Ellie, and Clara from Chicago in case Chuck's plan hit a snag. Now they were all sitting around impatiently, waiting from any word from Chuck and his team. Ellie busied herself by cleaning anything she could find to keep her mind from assuming the worst. Devon was entertaining baby Clara while Mary paced back and forth. It wasn't like Mary to be nervous. She was a spy, one of the best, but when it was her baby boy out there fighting the good fight, she just couldn't seem to keep herself calm. She'd never wanted this for her family, but she knew when she fell for Stephen J. Bartowski this had always been a possibility. She had tried so hard to keep her family out of this world, but here they were, stuck right in the middle of it.

"Why haven't we heard anything yet?" Ellie blurted suddenly, interrupting Mary's train of thought.

"We'll hear something soon. Nothing is going to stop your brother from completing this mission, Ellie," Mary responded trying to convince herself as much as much she was trying to help Ellie.

"Come on guys it really hasn't been that long. I mean they're trying to take down a rogue group that no one even knew about until now," Devin replied picking up baby Clara.

"Ya, come on guys give me a break," Chuck joked, strolling down Castle's stairs.

"Chuck!" Ellie yelled, rushing towards her little brother.

Ellie wrapped Chuck into a death grip that vaguely resembled a hug. It had been amazing to get their parents back in one way or another during the past couple of years. Yet with everything they had been through, the bond between the two siblings was stronger than most. They had been each other's protectors, shoulder to cry on, rock, and whatever else they needed. Now was not just a celebration of surviving another mission, but a celebration of surviving everything.

"Starting to feel a little left out over here," Morgan whined, clearing his throat.

"Oh…Hi Morgan. Just happy to see that my baby brother is home safe," Ellie chuckled as she wiped a tear from her cheek.

Ellie looked up the stairs to see the rest of the team filing into Castle. She watched as Chuck left her side and approached their mother and wrapped her in a large embrace. He didn't say a word, just held her close, using the embrace to convey all of the respect, love and admiration he had for his mother. As Ellie looked around the room, she realized that she was proud to call everyone in this room family. It had taken them a long time to get to this point, but they had earned it and now, hopefully, they would finally be able to enjoy it.

"I suppose it's safe to say that the mission went well…I mean all of you are here?" Ellie questioned.

"That it did," Chuck responded.

"We were able to get Smith to do everything that we needed him to do, and now his entire organization thinks we're dead. So I guess all we have to do now is sit back and watch while the CIA and NSA round them all up," Chuck replied with his famous Bartowski grin.

"So what now?" Ellie asked.

"Well, I guess now we can celebrate down here for the evening while we wait. We need to make sure that most of Smith's organization is out of commission before risk coming out of hiding," Sarah replied.

The rest of the evening was spent in an atmosphere full of love, laughter, and relief. Their latest and most dangerous foe had been defeated. There was always going to be some new threat out there, and heck the odds were pretty good that a new one would appear sooner rather than later, but right now no one cared. They had earned the right to celebrate and just enjoy each other's company.

"I want to take this time to thank everyone in the room. Tonight's success wouldn't have been possible without you. We are here able to celebrate, because of all of you. I'm lucky to be able to call you my team, but more importantly, I am blessed to call you my family," Chuck toasted.

"I'll toast to that," Sarah said, raising her glass.

The rest of the evening was a blur. As the last of the team members went to bed, only Chuck and Sarah were left in the main conference room.

"Well Mrs. Bartowski, I would say that was a pretty successful mission if I do say so myself," Chuck boasted.

"I hate to say it, but I'm inclined to agree with you," Sarah replied, wrapping her arms around Chuck's neck.

"You hate to say it? What's that supposed to mean?" Chuck asked with a slightly baffled expression.

"Well you know. I go saying how great of a plan it was, and how great our team leader was, then the next thing you know his head is so big It won't even fit through the door," Sarah joked.

"Real funny," Chuck snorted, planting a gentle kiss on Sarah's lips.

"You know, tonight's mission went well, but we do still have a few loose ends to tie up," Sarah replied as she pressed her forehead to his.

"I know, and one of them is still in a holding cell," Chuck said as he looked at the monitor showing Jill Roberts sleeping in her cell.

"I'll tell you what. Let's say that tonight there's no spy life, no mission talk, and especially no Jill talk. Tonight is just a husband and wife enjoying each other's company. What do you say?" Sarah inquired before planting a passionate kiss on her husband.

"I say a few more kisses like that and you have a deal," Chuck grinned.

"I think that can be arranged," Sarah said, taking Chuck's hand in hers leading him towards their bunk for the evening.

Right now they deserved to rest. The loose ends of the mission could wait. Tonight was all about family.

Sarah awoke in a cold sweat. She sat up and looked over at Chuck still in a deep sleep. She'd had the nightmare again. The one where she was holding Ellie at gunpoint and pulled the trigger. She would then have to look on in horror as she witnessed the fall out of her actions. She saw Devon and Clara in tears, Chuck walking away from here, and her entire world crumbling around her. Sarah got out of bed and headed to the gym. A good workout always seemed to alleviate the stress from these nightmares.

Sarah walked into the gym and wasn't really surprised to see Devon wrapping up his workout.

"Hey there sis. Coming in to work off the party?" Devon joked.

"Something like that," Sarah replied.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Devon asked, his playful smile fading.

"Nothing," Sarah answered defensively.

"Come on Sarah. You hardly talked to us last night, and I see it on your face every time you look at us," Devon responded.

"What are you talking about?" Sarah asked as she approached the punching bag.

"Guilt. It's all over your face. Look, I am no expert in all of this, but I don't see what there is to feel guilty about," Devon said.

"But I pointed a gun at your wife. I was willing to do whatever it took to get what I needed. How can you just look at me like nothing happened? And don't tell me it's what family does. I know family forgives, but how am I supposed to live with what I did to her?" Sarah asked as she began to strike the bag.

"I can't tell you how to do that, but what I can tell you is that I hold no ill will towards you. Sarah, I know that you would do anything to protect my family. The spy world is messy and full of gray areas. The only thing I know is that I can count on you and Chuck, and I hope you know that you can always count on Ellie and me," Devon finished with a look of concern on his face.

"I know I can count on you Devon, but how do I look at Ellie in the eye when she is standing there with you and Clara, knowing that I could have taken it all away. With one pull of the trigger I could have ended it all," Sarah responded, now clearly getting emotional.

"And what stopped you?" Devon asked.

"Ellie wrecked her car," Sarah responded.

"Why did she do that?"

"To protect Chuck."

"There it is. Ellie will do anything to protect Chuck. Those two have a unique relationship. "They've had only each other for most of their lives," Devon said before Sarah interrupted him.

"How am I supposed to compete with that? I love Chuck and I love Ellie, but what I did put both of them in danger. I know I didn't remember anything, but that doesn't change what I did. I'm so confused. I know they've forgiven me, but I'm not sure I can ever forgive myself," Sarah pleaded, begging Devon for an answer as her strikes grew more intense on the bag in front of her.

"Sarah, Chuck and Ellie have been the only family the other has known for a long time. We were lucky enough to be invited in. You need to talk to Ellie and clear the air between you. I forgive you and not because it's what family does, but because I know that it wasn't you that took Ellie. I have watched you change over the years. I think back to when you and Chuck were just a cover. Honestly, I think the only people that didn't see the truth were the two of you. I watched you hide in your shell and I saw Chuck slowly bring you out of it. I also saw you do the same thing for Chuck. Together you were better, and that got lost for a bit. Now you're back. You are the Sarah that we all know and love. Talk to Ellie, Sarah," Devon said as he (turned around to walk out of the gym.

Sarah stopped her attack on the helpless punching bag. Now with nothing left to take out her frustration on she was forced to confront the struggle with in her. The one that had been going on since the day she met Chuck. It was the battle between Agent Walker and Sarah. The battle had taken its toll over the years but Sarah had finally won that fateful day on the floor in Chuck's apartment. Agent Walker tried one final time to stop her, but Sarah triumphed with one little word, "Yes." That was how she finally told Chuck how she felt. That one little word started this amazing journey she was on. Then Quinn decided to derail it and everything she had grown to hold dear. She pressed her head against the bag, trying not only to regain her breath, but also to calm her thoughts. She fought back tears as everything that she and Devon had talked about ran through her head. Devon started to leave, but Sarah stopped him.

"I've never felt like I deserve any of this," Sarah said, fighting back the tears.

"What are you talking about?" Devon asked quietly.

"I was a con woman, then a spy. I've hurt people. I met you guys and that all changed. My priorities and entire outlook on life changed. Chuck made me feel again. When Quinn wiped my memory, I went right back to a cold, calculating spy. All my feelings were locked away again. I remember everything now, but that is still a part of me. It probably always will be. How can I still have that inside of me after everything we have been through as a family?' Sarah asked. The dam finally broke and the tears ran down her face as she buried it in the punching bag.

Devon didn't say a word, he just approached his sister-in-law and embraced her in a hug. "I don't think you give yourself enough credit Sarah. Those feeling you talk about, they never left, and they were what brought you back to us. Chuck told Ellie and me about the night in the house. The feelings you had for him at that moment are what saved you. The feelings you have for this family are what makes you…you now. Don't forget that part of it. Quit focusing on the bad and remember why you are here now. You took a chance on those feelings and look at what you have." Devon said as he let go of Sarah and started to exit the gym.

Sarah thought about what Devon had said, long after he left. It wasn't going to be easy, but it was time to have a conversation with Ellie. They had talked a little when she had come to ask for help regaining her memories, but the talk they needed to have now was going to be the tough one. Sarah decided to finish her workout and then try to put all of this behind her and put her family back together again.

Chuck stared at the monitor as Beckman's team escorted Jill from Castle. She was the final piece of the puzzle as most of Smith's organization was now in custody. There was a point in his life that he when he had thought Jill was the woman he would spend the rest of his life with. Now she was being taken away in chains. As Chuck watched the scene unfold in front of him, he wondered if Jill ever truly loved him, or if he was just convenient. He tore his gaze away from the monitor and glanced around the room, his eyes falling on the very person he was looking for. His eyes locked with Sarah's and they both shared a quick smile. In that moment his past and future lined up. He saw what he could have had being escorted away, and what he was so grateful to have right in front of him. All he could do was smile.

"What're you doing?" Morgan asked.

"Just taking inventory of everything," Chuck responded with a grin.

"Funny you should say that. I've been thinking about a lot of things lately. This whole thing with Smith has put some stuff in perspective for me. Can I ask you a question Chuck?"

"Sure buddy. You can ask me anything," Chuck responded.

"When did you know that you were ready to ask Sarah to marry you?" Morgan asked.

Chuck gave him a questioning look. "Morgan, are you thinking about asking Alex to marry you?"

"No! No.… what makes you say that? I just asked a friend when he was ready to get married and it somehow turns into me getting married. Geez, Chuck. I mean…. what do you think she would say?" Morgan mumbled nervously.

"I think you need to worry more about what Casey might say," Chuck joked.

"Oh sure… I hadn't even thought about that part," Morgan replied.

"Morgan, I think if you love Alex, then that is all that matters. And I am pretty sure Casey likes you more than he lets on," Chuck responded.

"What are you two ladies talking about?" Casey asked, lumbering into the room.

"Oh us…. nothing here…. I mean nothing important," Morgan stammered out.

Casey just gave them a look grunted as he left the room.

"Well, that was close," Morgan gulped.

"I guess you have some work to do there bud," Chuck said as he gave Morgan a pat on the shoulder and left to join his wife.

Chuck walked up to Sarah and took her in his arms. "Hey babe, ready to blow this popsicle stand?" Chuck said with a laugh.

"I'd say we are overdue for some fresh air," Sarah responded. She looked over at Ellie and Devon as they packed their things.

"Have you had a chance to talk to her yet?" Chuck asked.

"No, I haven't been able to," Sarah responded hesitantly. "I…..I can't quite find the courage to start the conversation, Chuck. I'm…..I'm scared."

"Sarah, it'll be ok. You just need to talk to her so you can both put this behind you. You are the bravest woman I've ever met, and I know you can get through this."

"I know, it's just hard for me to forgive myself for what I did," Sarah admitted.

"Talking to her would be a good start," Chuck responded nodding his head towards his sister.

Sarah removed herself from Chuck's arms and approached Ellie.

"Hey Ellie, can we talk for a minute?" Sarah asked.

"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" Ellie responded.

"Care if we go somewhere more private?"

"Sure.,"

Chuck watched as two of the strongest, most amazing and most important woman he had ever had the privilege of knowing walked away together. He hoped they could find a way to put the incident behind them, because it was time for his family to find peace and happiness again.

Ellie followed Sarah out of the main conference room in Castle. She wasn't really sure what this was all about, but if she had to guess it had something to do with the tension that seemed to be hovering between them. Ellie knew that when she helped Sarah with her memories, they had begun to repair their relationship, but there was still work to be done. Sarah led the way into one of the holding cells and Ellie followed behind.

Once they were alone, Ellie asked, "Ok Sarah. What do we need to talk about?"

"Ellie, I've been having nightmares. Actually, it's the same one, over and over again. It goes back to before I recovered my memories. In these dreams, I don't stop and I don't quit. In these dreams I pull the trigger. I either kill you or Chuck. Then I live with the fall out of these horrible acts. Ellie, I know what you're going to say. Family forgives, and trust me I understand that, but it doesn't change what I almost did and I can't imagine my life without my family. What I can't do is forgive myself. I can't forgive what I almost took from the people most important to me, and what I almost took from myself. I know we can't just instantly go back to the way things were before all of this, but I want to know what I can do to start fixing this," Sarah said, with tears now easily visible making their way down her cheeks.

"Sarah, there is something I need to get off my chest as well. After I crashed the van there was a split second when I thought about giving up on you. It was only a thought, but for a quick moment I wanted Chuck to walk away. Then I saw Chuck pleading with me and I remembered how good you two were for each other, and that if anyone could bring you back it was him. He told me that your memories were in there somewhere, and that he wasn't going to stop fighting for you. He was right. I was too quick to protect Chuck and not you. I think I had protected Chuck for so long that I didn't know how to do anything else. When our parents left, Chuck was all I had. Even after finding out Chuck was a spy and seeing him in action, I couldn't let go. I continually tried to protect him. What I didn't realize is that when he found you, he had a new protector. I never gave you the credit you were due, and in that one moment I almost sacrificed it all" Ellie responded.

Ellie and Sarah just looked at each other, neither one was sure where to take the conversation from there. Finally, Sarah broke the silence. "Ellie, I will always protect Chuck. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Sarah, I hope you know that I do forgive you for what happened. No matter what you say, I don't believe that it was really you pointing that gun at me. You didn't pull the trigger. And I don't believe that you ever would have. Maybe instead of focusing on what could have happened, we should focus on what did happen. You didn't pull the trigger and we are both still here to fix this. So what do you say we forgive each other and work together to rebuild our relationship?" Ellie asked.

"I would say it's a start," Sarah said with a smile.

The two ladies hugged one another making a silent agreement to work on their relationship. Not for Chuck or for Devon, but for themselves. To fix it because it was what they both wanted. It wasn't going to happen overnight, but if anyone could make it happen, it was them.

Sarah pulled back from their hug and wiped the tears from her cheeks. "I am I'm going to have to watch myself when I talk to my in-laws," Sarah joked.

"In-laws?" Ellie questioned, her curiosity peaked.

"Yeah, Devon caught me this morning trying to work off one of those nightmares I was talking about. He had some pretty good advice for me," Sarah replied.

"I have to know what my awesome husband did now," Ellie pleaded.

"He reminded me that the feelings and memories that I had made during my time in Burbank never really left me. He made me realize that those feelings are the reason we are all here together. You Bartowskis rubbed off on me more than I ever realized," Sarah joked.

Ellie had to admit she was proud of her husband. He sometimes was a little late to the emotional party, but when he arrived he usually did it with a bang. "Well, I think that sounds like pretty good advice," Ellie quipped, brushing away a tear.

The two ladies shared another hug. This hug was different, it was laced with the promise that someday very soon they would be a family again. They both stepped back and gave each other a quick smile and turned to rejoin the rest of the gang.

Life in Burbank was finally getting back to normal. Mary Bartowski was in the process of escorting her daughter and her family back to Chicago while the rest of Team Bartowski cleaned up Castle. Morgan was trying to gain the backbone to ask Casey a very important question.

"Hey Casey, do you have a sec?" Morgan asked.

"What? Got your panties in a bunch again?" Casey grunted.

"Casey, this whole Smith thing has gotten me thinking. I love Alex, and nothing is more important to me than her happiness. I know you haven't always approved of our relationship, but I want to ask…. for your permission to marry her," Morgan quickly blurted out.

Casey just looked at the little man in front of him and smirked. The spine Morgan had grown over the years was rather impressive. Casey extended his hand towards Morgan and held it there. Morgan just looked down, not quite sure what was happening. Was it really just a simple handshake, or was it going to turn into a death move of some kind? Morgan slowly put his hand in Casey's and was pleasantly surprised when Casey gave it a simple shake.

"Thank you for asking Morgan. You are a little bit less annoying than you used to be, and if you were brave enough to ask me that question, then I guess its ok with me," Casey commented.

"Thank you Casey, and I promise you I will always take care of her," Morgan replied.

"That goes without saying, because you know that I can kill a man more ways than I can count, and I guarantee you they would never find your body. So you better never hurt her," Casey said as he walked away.

Chuck and Sarah watched as the scene unfolded in front of them.

"Well, I guess we have another wedding to go to now," Sarah said with a chuckle.

"That should be fun," Chuck joked.

Chuck wrapped Sarah in his arms and gave her a kiss. Things were finally starting to go right for Team Bartowski and the life they had always wanted was going to be theirs for the taking.