Sorry it took so long, again. It's winter break though, so I'll try my best to work on this!

Note: I don't own Chuck because if I did, it would renew for another season. Or at least a movie.

Chuck Versus The Escape

23 May 2005

2243 Hours

Avakian Estate

Playa del Rey, Los Angeles, California

Cole watched as his American partner disarmed the goliath in the guise of Avakian's head of security – he clenched the bullet wound on his side, his head fuzzy from the ongoing blood-loss. Damn it, he mentally grumbled. "Grab his key card. It'll give us access into the security room."

"Right." Per Cole's instruction, Chuck unhooked the card from the lanyard around the neck of the insentient man positioned against the wall. I need a plan. Think of a plan. Placing the gun in the possession of the MI6 agent, he related his hastily constructed strategy with an authoritative tone that surprised even himself. "Here. Get to the real Avakian. He's the one wearing the tacky red bow tie. I'm going into the security room to hack into the cameras. Maybe create a distraction for us to get out while I'm at it. I'll meet you in 15." Hopefully, all hell won't break loose.

The Englishman acceded to the proposal with a nod. "It's better than nothing."

Oh, great. Just what I wanted. More guards. Chuck held his hands up as a group of Avakian's security encircled him, their weapons drawn. "Whoa!" Imitating how Cole had approached Avakian's head of security earlier, he gave the guards an inebriated smile. "Haha, those are some nice toys you got there." Suddenly giving the impression of having recalled something, he asked blatantly, "Oh, uh, anyone mind showing me to the loo? I've really got to take a piss."

"This area is out-of-bounds. How did you get past the other guards?" A guard moved closer, somewhat lowering his gun as he unconsciously deemed the lanky man in front of him as a stray guest.

Chuck shrugged, "Just like this." A solid punch to the man's face followed his statement before he reverted back to his native accent, "It was easy." Before any of the incapacitated man's comrades could intervene, the CIA agent released a myriad of concise punches and kicks that rendered them in the same condition as the first guard whom addressed him. He regarded the door that the large troop of security had been posted at and progressed towards it, mentally thanking the training he received under Forrest.

Finally! He inwardly cheered once he entered the security room, leaving be the inert forms of the guards in the hall outside. Inside, he found the walls on the opposite side of the room covered with monitors showing the ongoing revelry taking place within the estate through an assortment of viewpoints which the cameras easily captured; other than that, the room seemed to be strangely unmanned. Why do I have a feeling that something's off? He frowned and subsequently ducked for cover as an immediate reaction from hearing the mishandling of a gun. The shot reverberated in the air as Chuck cautiously stood to view his attacker. There was a hole in one of the monitors, and the aim completely off with regards to Chuck's location beside the door.

A stout security guard shakily held up the gun, obviously unused to it in his control. "Stay back. I'm warning you." Beads of sweat trickled down the man's pale forehead, his voice cracking an octave higher when he spoke. "I - I'll shoot for sure this time!"

"You don't have to." Chuck stated calmly, hands raised once more as he moved forward. "I just want to disable the cameras. That's all." He observed as a number of emotions were evidently in turmoil as revealed on the corpulent man's features – hesitant trust prevailing over the rest.

"That's all?"

"Yeah, that and I want all the footage of tonight to be erased." He was close enough that the guard could perceive the plain sincerity in his honest mien; there was a long pause before the man nodded in assent. Chuck instantly moved to the monitors, his fingers nimbly inputting commands into the system to halt any further documentation of the night as well as removing any recorded evidence of his and Cole's presence at the party. With a final tap of a key, Chuck spun around, discovering that the guard still persisted on pointing the gun at him. One swift move altered their situation entirely as he held the weapon in his hand, ejecting the magazine out and kicking it away from them both afore he gave it back to the astounded security guard. "Here you go."

Found you. Cole mentally announced once he spotted the red bow tie, and he advanced towards the disguised Avakian, reducing the distance between them with each step he took. With a calculated bump, he caused the man adjacent to the arms dealer to splatter wine onto Avakian's suit, resulting in a growing claret stain on the man's dress shirt.

Suppressing his obvious irritation, Avakian pardoned himself from the conversation as he made way for the restroom, unwary of the MI6 agent trailing after him. A few steps before reaching the washroom, the drone of idle conversation was silenced by the screams that erupted from the west wing followed by the shouts of guests warning each other of an apparent fire.

The instant the arms dealer spun around to locate the source of the commotion, he was greeted with a hand chop to the side of his neck. Cole took advantage of Avakian's fleeting disorientation in the form of a right elbow strike to the jaw, successfully knocking out the arms dealer.

"Cole!" Chuck called out as he weaved through the mass of guests seeking to leave the premises – grabbing hold of the other side of Avakian, he aided the MI6 agent in heaving the unconscious arms dealer along with them as they joined the fleeing crowd. "We've got to get out of here."

"Obviously." Cole retorted, concentrating on whether any of Avakian's security noticed that the real dealer was with them. "How do you suppose we do that?"

Chuck brandished a set of keys from his pocket, "Our ride is waiting outside."

The MI6 agent raised a brow then nodded. Well done, Carmichael.

2338 Hours

Forrest's Apartment

Echo Park, Los Angeles, California

Upon hearing the urgent pounding on her front door, Forrest growled as she discontentedly separated herself from her movie to open the door, "What?"

"Hiya, Forrest." Chuck greeted with a wave. "Mind if we come in?"

We? Forrest's regular frown curdled into a scowl as she recognized the man accompanying her partner. Hissing through her teeth, she acknowledged the MI6 agent, "Barker." Damn bastard. Must be the agent the MI6 sent to partner up with Bartowski.

Cole smiled, paying no heed to the daggers Alexandra Forrest gave off with her icy blue eyes. "Nice to see you again, Alex. Guess your Carmichael's partner?" Beautiful as ever. I wonder how she's been.

"Impeccable observation," Forrest snapped before turning to Chuck – the ire towards the English man palpable in her voice. "Come in. You'll need to report to Graham about your mission." Stepping aside in order to permit the two agents into her abode, she stood skeptically as Bartowski dragged a restrained man along with him. "This is?"

"The arms dealer." A faint smile was the only show of triumph Chuck allowed himself to display; the mission had gone better than he had hoped – there was a bit of difficulty along the way, but that was to be expected. What a night!

Closing the front door, Forrest moved towards her computers; she keyed in a request to link with Graham while she instructed, "Set him on that chair. I'll deal with him later." It was a short instant before the live video conference with the Assistant Director of the CIA commenced.

"Forrest," Graham stated in greeting, his expression exhibited an unclear indication of appreciation for the conference request due to the break it granted him from the large amount of paperwork visible on his desk. "What is it?"

"Carmichael would like to report on his mission." Forrest responded – conversely, her focus was ensnared by the shirtless MI6 agent whom currently occupied himself with treating his wounds.

"Ah," The CIA superior consented, "Very well."

Graham reflected on the accounts he had been given by the participating agents of the MI6/CIA joint operation, and he was more than pleased with the results. The mission objective was originally to collect information on the arms dealer, but Avakian's capture was even better. Resisting the urge to quirk the corner of his lips into a minimal smile, he commended the two operatives. "Carmichael, Barker, job well done. Agents will arrive later to convey Avakian to a secure facility." With those words, he gave a nod of approval before he pardoned himself, "Graham, out."

Expressing his exhaustion through a yawn, Chuck progressed towards the door, his thoughts engrossed in reaching his bed for some rest. His path to the exit, however, was blocked by Forrest.

"Did Barker say anything about me?" She probed quietly as she eyed the MI6 agent resting on her couch. Damn, him. As she became aware of her resurfacing emotions, she clenched her jaw, straining to shove them back down. He'll leave for another mission and you'll forget him, Alex. Keep him in the past. There's nothing more you can gain from a relationship with him.

Slightly curious about the unexpected query, he recalled the intelligence the Intersect had provided him on Cole - realization hit him as he connected the piece of information about the MI6/CIA incident to his partner and the MI6 agent. Ohh, I see. "No, he didn't."

Forrest nodded, a mixture of relief and disappointment overtook her; she shook her head as an attempt to drive her confusion about Barker away. "It's time for you all to leave."

"Night, Forrest." Chuck said as he left the apartment for his own.

"Alex," Forrest stiffened as the MI6 agent walked up to her; he smiled once again, flaunting his rugged charm as he spoke, seemingly genuine, "It really was nice seeing you again." Cole held out a card, which Forrest found herself taking from him. "It's the only way to contact me when I leave. Er, I hope you use it."

Before she could respond sharply to convey her antipathy towards him, the man drew near, pecking her on the cheek. Without another word, he left Forrest to organize her muddled thoughts.

25 May 2005

1200 Hours

Buy More

Burbank, California

"I don't think that's such a great idea, Morgan." Chuck advised his shorter friend, hoping his warning would be taken into regard. Oh, god. I can't watch. He covered his eyes as the Buy More sales staff, or 'greenshirts' as Chuck learned to refer to them as, ceased chanting "Mystery Crisper" – silence had fallen as everyone in the Buy More break room watched in awe as Morgan managed to eat the undoubtedly spoiled contents of one of the many forsaken Tupperware containers in the break room's fridge. I have no idea how he hasn't gotten sick from this.

A member of the Nerd Herd, the Buy More's computer and technical support staff, yelled for everyone to place their bets for the next round of 'Mystery Crisper' when the door slammed open, ramming the scrawny man off to the side.

"What's the rush, sister?" The man started to protest before his companion, a balding man with a permanently vacant expression plastered on his face, nudged him to consider the woman's assets. "Hello, the name's Lester. The pleasure's all yours." His outstretched hand and introduction went unnoticed as the woman advanced past him towards Grimes' friend. What the hell?

"Bartowski," Forrest motioned for him to follow prior to exiting the break room as quickly as she had come in. I hate this place. Filled with a bunch of morons.

"What is it?" Chuck asked, regarding his partner's shift in character since her reunion with the MI6 agent. I hope she's okay. She didn't say anything when Cole left the other day. Forrest had disclosed her history with Cole to him, greatly implying how strong her feelings had been for the man in the past.

"I got a call from Graham. New mission." The blonde woman clarified without breaking a stride as Bartowski moved alongside her. He's not going to like this. "You'll be going undercover to infiltrate a splinter group of the CIA – Fulcrum."

His brows furrowed slightly, "Why am I getting the feeling that I'll be going undercover for a while?"

"This is a big mission, Bartowski. You're moving up in the world." With a discomforted pat on the shoulder, Forrest resumed filling the taller man in about his assignment. "There'll be a change of scenery. You're headed to Paris. I'm staying here for a few days before we rendezvous. You'll update me on your progress then."

"Splinter group of the CIA, huh?" Chuck crossed his arms as he spoke his thoughts aloud, "I'm assuming that anything associating me with the CIA will be erased. I mean I am going undercover, right?"

"Precisely. Any contact with family or friends is prohibited as well. However, you can entrust me with making sure they know you're safe."

A conceding smile formed on Chuck's face, "Thanks, Forrest."

1246 Hours

Casa de Bartowski

Echo Park, Los Angeles, California

"Ellie?" Chuck called out as he entered the apartment he shared with his sister and her boyfriend. The sound of a blender being used originated from the kitchen – identifying the figure making a protein shake, he greeted over the shrill drone of the blender, "Hey, Awesome. Where's Ellie?"

The fit man replied, "At work, bro. They called her in this morning." Sensing there was something more going on, he finished concocting his shake, "What's up, Chuck?"

"I have to go off on a business trip." Chuck explained as he headed off to grab his duffel bag in his room. "I don't know how long I'll be gone."

Awesome trailed after his girlfriend's relatedly compassionate sibling, "Sounds like a big deal. Way to go, man! That's awesome." He grinned broadly, straightforwardly displaying how proud he was of the man he considered as a brother. "You should tell El that you're leaving, though. You know how she is."

Chuck agreed, "Yeah." I'll visit her at the hospital on my way to LAX. Slinging duffel bag over a shoulder, he gave the Captain a hug goodbye. "I'll see you in a while."

Author's Note: Sarah and Chuck will meet soon, I promise!

Happy Holidays, everyone! Do continue to review and give me your thoughts on this fic!