A/N: Okay first of all I want to apologize to those that were disappointed with the last Chapter. I realize I am not going to satisfy everyone but still the same, I do care how everyone thinks of the story.

I just want to say this story is growing way beyond what even I thought it would be. I originally planned for maybe 30 chapters and ending it with Season 4 timeline. My main focus was and still is to make Season 3 right. Here I am on Chapter 17 and we still haven't gotten to Season 3 timeline yet. The reason I say this is because that gives the Characters a lot of room to grow. Just because they are acting one way now does not mean they will always be that way. If anything you learned from any of my other stories the Characters go through a progression or growth so to speak.

Right now Chuck is in a certain place where he is worried about losing everything he loves. That includes the Intersect.

Sarah, to is worried about losing everything which is Chuck. You have to remember in this story, she fell for Chuck long before she met him. The way Bryce would talk about him while on missions and build him up so, she fell for him. Thus, to her, she is overcompensating for not only having to protect him because it's her job, but protecting him because he is her everything.

My plan is not to keep them in this state, but to progress them to a different relationship, a much stronger one, for the next phase.

So we had Phase 1, the friendship. Phase 2(where were at now) is the physical coming together of Chuck and Sarah. Phase 3 will be the emotional coming together. Phase 4 is, well if I tell you now, that would ruin the story.

I just ask that you be patient. I know this part seems to drag out but it really has only been a couple days. A lot has happened, but everything is still new. Sarah and Chuck will began to evolve again and of course in a good way. We just have to get through this time period which to me, was one of the most important times in their lives.

As far as how Sarah handled the Fulcrum agents. Well I took the idea from a couple parts of the show. One, the comment from Orion about if Sarah was an Intersect too. Then the scene in vs. Anniversary where Chuck takes out a group of armed Russians with Morgan right next to him. I combined those concepts to come up with that scene. Sure it is somewhat unbelievable but this is Chuck Universe after all.

So here is the run down. Obviously things might change but as it stands now, this story will be huge in scope. The biggest story that I have written so far. I do not see it ending anytime soon. For some that might be a bad thing, but I hope for most it is a good thing. With that said, it will not take twenty chapters to resolve something. This story just has a lot of ground to still cover.

Please keep letting me know if I am doing something wrong or something you don't like. I ask that you be constructive, but trust me, I am not going to send you nasty pm's or anything. I do take note of everything people say and try to balance things out. Sometimes the pendulum swings a little farther to one side but hopefully by the end of the story, everyone will see that all in all, the pendulum stayed pretty true to center.

Another big thanks to my beta Gladius and his tireless work on keeping me on the right path.

As always, I don't own Chuck or anything in this story.

TGIF!

Chapter 17 – Freedom

"Guys, that was Beckman. The Government has ordered an airstrike on the Black Water location." Casey hit the gas, as he pushed the Vic to the limit.

Chuck looked to Sarah, fear overtaking him. "But why'd they do that? They know my father's being held there." Chuck started freaking out.

Sarah's anger and frustration over the last thirty six hours completely evaporated instantaneously as she saw the worry in Chuck's eyes. She needed to be there for him. "Casey, can't Beckman stop this? Why'd she order an airstrike when she knows Chuck's dad could be there?"

Casey couldn't believe it himself. "Apparently some hotshot CIA Anti-Terrorist Specialist went above her head and ordered the air strike on the facility. This 'Specialist' apparently had gained some rock solid evidence within the last twelve hours that Fulcrum's headquarters was in Black Water." Casey didn't bother to tell them just how pissed off the General was at this CIA Specialist. "According to the General, we have fifty-five minutes till the air strike."

Chuck started panicking. "Casey you have to hurry! Black Water is about ten minutes away, which gives us only forty-five minutes to get in and out while saving my dad."

"Way ahead of you kid." Casey was already pushing his Vic to the limit as they headed to the Fulcrum site.

{* * *}

They were minutes from the location as Sarah finished checking both her and Chuck's gear. Luckily Casey always carried backup mission gear in the Vic. Sarah was finishing up when she snuggled up close to Chuck, she was tired of being angry, she just wanted to be there for Chuck. She had her arm wrapped in his and her head lying upon his shoulder. This was her 'zone' now.

Chuck was still anxious knowing the impending airstrike was so close. Even so, it sure helped to have Sarah next to him. She gave him the strength he needed and her mere presence was giving him the determination to do what it takes to get his dad back.

Sarah knew she needed to do something to get Chuck's mind in the right place. "Chuck, it's going to be alright. We're going to get your dad back. I promise you honey." She reached up and kissed his cheek, hoping he caught her intention.

Chuck was so comforted by the kiss especially how she had been acting recently. He knew everything would be okay as long as he just trusted his partners. He also knew that Sarah was trying to calm him down. Thankfully she knew him to well as he grinned. "So it's honey now? What's next... sweetie?" He was still nervous but he couldn't help but give her a teasing smile.

It worked, Sarah mused as she playfully smacked him on the arm. "Are you making fun of me?" She gave her best attempt at a playful pouting face.

Chuck was amazed at how quickly he could go from freaking out to actually almost laughing just having a back and forth with Sarah. "I like it when you use those endearments on me. I'm glad you're comfortable enough in our relationship to start using them." Chuck was calming down by the second the more he interacted with Sarah. He was more determined now as his nervousness abated him.

Sarah reared her head back questioning him. "Chuck, this is not the first time I've used words of endearment on you." She gave him an evil grin.

'Man how I love this woman,' Chuck thought to himself. "Sarah, I don't think 'Oh God Baby' is really considered a term of endearment… and Ow! Once again." He actually laughed this time. In the face of such tragedy, Sarah could still make him forget all his worries.

"Oh you're going to get it big time when we're done with this mission. You still owe me anyway." Sarah looked up at Casey to see if maybe her and Chuck could do something really quick. Unfortunately with the time restraints and not wanting to mess up Casey's Vic, she decided that it would just have to wait once again.

"Hey you two, we are almost there. Get ready." Casey turned to Chuck. "Lock and load kid, this is the big show."

"Are you serious? I'm coming in with you guys?" Chuck was confused.

"Of course, Chuck. You're ready for this and we need you in there with us anyway." Sarah held onto his hand. "I need you in there with me."

Chuck leaned in and kissed her. "Thank you Sarah."

Casey gave a cough. "Uh, it wasn't all her idea." Casey faked being hurt.

"Ahh big guy. You want me to come up there and give you a big kiss too?" Chuck started to lean forward when Casey slammed on the breaks causing Chuck to slam face first into the seat-back.

"We're here." Laughed Casey as he quickly got out of the car. 'See, Walker's not the only one that can get Chuck's head in the game.' Casey mused to himself.

"Damn it Casey, you could've hurt him." Sarah was gently holding onto Chuck's head making sure her lips, she meant his lips were fine.

"He's going to pay for that." Chuck looked at Sarah and gave her the eyebrow dance. "I say once my Dad is secured we come back and christen the back seat of his Vic here."

Oh Sarah loved it when he talked like this. If it wasn't for the damn airstrike she would have taken him right there. First things first, they have to save Chuck's dad.

Sarah and Chuck quickly got out of the Vic where they walked around to meet up with Casey.

"Okay, I lead, Chuck you stay between me and Sarah as she brings up the rear. Shoot first ask questions later. We don't have time for negotiating." Casey loaded his weapon. "Let's go get your Dad, kid."

The three nodded their heads and they were off.

. . .

They soon found the entrance to the underground facility that was being fronted by a drive-in movie theater. The three silently moved down a set a stairs and quickly made their way through the facility.

As Chuck was walking in between his partners, he happened to look up to see some cat-5e wiring leading down the hall. There were actually two sets of wiring. One was your normal network wiring, but the other was something Chuck had never seen before. At first he didn't think much of it but as they moved deeper into the facility the wiring branched off into two different directions. "Guys I think he might be in that room." Chuck pointed to where one set of the strange wiring led to a pair of closed doors.

Casey motioned for everyone to be quiet. He held up three fingers to let his partners know on three they were going in.

Chuck checked his tranq gun, making sure a dart was chambered ready for action. He turned to Sarah who surprisingly gave him a quick kiss as she checked her weapons. This was it. In a strange way, Chuck felt like they were getting ready to play laser tag.

On three Casey nodded his head and the three stormed into the room.

Casey quickly took out two armed men on the far side of the room while Chuck was able to tranq the men he thought might be scientists sitting in front of the two computer terminals in the large room.

Sarah took out two other men near the door and within seconds the room was deathly silent, with no sign of Orion.

Chuck looked around at all the high tech equipment. It made Castle look like an old Commodore 64 Shop. This was definitely some kind of hub for Fulcrum intelligence. Their 'Castle' so to speak.

"This is some high end equipment they have in here." Chuck looked behind him to Sarah. "Sarah, I think this equipment could contain vital information about Fulcrum." Chuck had a sudden feeling like they were so close to ending the war with Fulcrum. Then he would be free. But then he remembered the reason they came here. "Listen guys. I'm going to try to see what information I can get from these servers. You two go find my dad and we'll meet back here."

Sarah looked at Chuck like he needed to get serious.

Chuck knew that look. "Okay, change of plans." Chuck looked towards Casey. "Sarah and I will stay here why you go find my dad. Once you find him, alert us and we'll meet you there." Chuck looked to Sarah for approval.

She shook her head as if to say, now you get it Chuck.

"Okay, no fooling around while I'm gone you two. This is serious." Casey was checking his weapons.

"I'll be able to keep surveillance on you from here so no surprises." Chuck was already sitting at one of the computer terminals and was setting up his link with Castle. "We have a little more than thirty minutes so let's make them count."

Sarah was so proud of Chuck right now. He was in his element and she could tell he was doing what he was born to do. Unfortunately a life of letdowns and heartache had caused his natural abilities to be hidden or misused. Hopefully that would change now that they were together. Sarah would never let him hurt ever again. It was time the world got to see what the true Chuck Bartowski was really like; hopefully without the Intersect as a crutch.

Casey was also very proud of Chuck. Casey always knew the kid had what it takes. "I'll be back as soon as I get your Dad." Casey was then out the door.

. . .

It had been almost five minutes and Sarah was absolutely blown away by what Chuck was doing on the computer. His fingers never seemed to stop moving. Apparently her body was not the only place those fingers could work their magic. He was already by passing every single fire wall and security measure Fulcrum had in place. He told her the data was being transferred as the servers were now linked up to the servers at Castle.

Chuck was lost in his element as streams of data filled his screen. Even so, he was able to locate a particular file that caught his eye. "Sarah, look at this file." Chuck pointed to a file with a strange icon on it.

Sarah leaned over his shoulder, focusing on what Chuck was showing her. "Is that a ring?"

Chuck found that odd. "Weird right? This folder has so much security measures in place I wonder what it contains?"

Sarah was about to answer when they suddenly had a lot of company pouring into the room.

"Well well well… so we meet again." Roark was smiling from ear to ear as he made a grand entrance into the server room.

Chuck discreetly secured the connection with Castle and entered the key code to initiate his virus. It took only seconds as he cautiously turned around to face the enemy.

"I suggest you step away from that computer or your Dad and your friend John Casey here will both get a bullet in their heads."

Two of Roark's men had guns aimed directly in the back of Casey and Orion. Three other men had their guns now trained on Chuck and Sarah.

Chuck raised his hands in the air and slowly moved away from the computer. His virus was already infecting the servers so it was just a matter of time before a full data dump was initiated.

Sarah was standing protectively in front of Chuck as Roark ordered her to drop her weapons.

Chuck could see once again the lust and desire in Roark's eyes as he looked at Sarah. Something deep down inside Chuck began to surface the more he looked upon this man.

"So Miss Walker, we meet again. I guess you just couldn't stand to be away from me huh gorgeous?" Roark seductively licked his lips as he eyed the beautiful agent up and down.

Sarah's eyes widened as she swore she heard a growl come from right behind her where Chuck was supposed to be. Was that Casey? She wondered until she turned slightly to catch the glare in Chuck's eyes as he stared down Roark.

Forget his men, this time Roark was determined to cash in on a long overdue debt personally. He held all the cards now and it was time for Agent Walker to pay up. Roark turned to his men, "If she threatens me in any way, shoot the kid first."

Sarah knew the odds were stacked heavily in Roark's favor and she also knew time was of the essence. They had to get a move on. She hoped that Casey had a plan.

"So, I heard rumors about you Miss Walker. You have quite the reputation around Fulcrum." Roark was smirking as he slowly approached Sarah. "So tell me, how much does a man have to pay to sleep with a whore like...?"

What happened next surprised everyone in the room, especially Chuck. There were very few times in Chuck's life where had he ever resorted to violence. Most recently with Cole, and maybe only a couple of other times when he was defending Morgan or someone else from being picked on. He knew what it was like to be bullied and he hated to see others treated that way. This was different though. Something deep down in him snapped seeing the love of his life treated this way. It wasn't the Intersect, it wasn't spy training, instead it was just a man defending the honor of the woman he loved.

Roark was completely knocked out by a hard right to the jaw applied viciously by one Charles Bartowski. It happened so quickly that it seemed like time stood still as mouths were all agape in shock as Roark fell to the floor unconscious. Sarah stood in complete awe of her man's unexpected actions in protecting her. Her hormones were already on high alert but that one act almost sent them into a different atmosphere. She loved Chuck, hell she even lusted after Chuck, but this was something more.

Although Casey was impressed, he was also aware of the opportunity as he quickly took out the two men closest to him. This also got Orion moving as he kneed the closest guard in the gut. The others fell as Chuck quickly retrieved his weapon that no one bothered to check for and then fired four tranq's into the rest of the men standing.

There were only about twenty minutes left until the bombing commenced so it was imperative that they got moving.

Chuck turned to Sarah who was now staring at him with so much love and desire in her eyes. Slowly she walked up to him grabbing his face in her hands.

"I love you so much!" She then grabbed a fist full of hair and pulled him to her. Kissing him with an urgency and passion of a lifetime of want and desire.

Chuck really lost all comprehension of time. He forgot where he was and why he was here. It was amazing how Sarah could do that to him. He was also aware of how dangerous that could be if Sarah ever turned to the dark side.

"Son." Orion placed a hand on Chuck's shoulder. "Charles, quickly. We have to go."

Chuck was finally able to realize where he was and why he was here. Sarah broke the kiss but she did not move from holding him. Her arms were wrapped tightly around him as her head was now buried in his chest. "Time to go sweetheart."

. . .

Chuck originally thought they were leaving but instead his Dad led them to the abandoned projection house for the drive-in movie theater. This confused Chuck until he noticed the apparatus set up to hold the Intersect Cube. There were just minutes remaining till the airstrike but his dad was insistent they do this.

Casey called the general to call off the airstrike explaining that they had recovered Orion and vital information from the Fulcrum base. Even so, Beckman told them there was nothing she could do. "Guys, whatever you are going to do. You've got about ten minutes to do it." Casey was scanning the horizon, praying the Air Force was running late.

Orion finished loading up the Intersect program as Chuck was nervously standing with Sarah still plastered to his side. He was beyond nervous as he knew what was coming. "Sarah, are you sure about this? I mean, without the Intersect, I'm just Chuck."

Here we go again she thought. "You are wrong, you know that? You are not 'just' Chuck without the Intersect. You're my Chuck." She reached up and kissed him. "I fell in love with Charles Bartowski, not the government Intersect. And Chuck Bartowski will always be the man I love with or without the Intersect." She reached up to kiss him. "I want you to do this for me Chuck."

Chuck was floored. He knew Sarah loved him, there was no doubt. But in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder how much of a role the Intersect played in that love. Sarah just confirmed to him that she never loved the Intersect, it was always him. She was the one that wanted it out and he knew that is what he had to do. He knew she would always be there for him. He looked over to his dad. "I'm finally ready."

Chuck tried to move Sarah but she wouldn't budge as she came around in front of him and hugged him close. It was obvious she was not letting him go. Casey and Orion put on their glasses as Chuck stared out the windows at the movie screen. He could feel Sarah hold him tightly as the Intersect cube came to life. It seemed like yesterday where he was holding Sarah as the Fulcrum Intersect from the Suburbs was coming to life. Now the circle was complete as it was Sarah holding him as the removal of Intersect 1.0 began.

Chuck quickly lost thought as his brain went into overdrive.

Sarah keeping her eyes squeezed shut and facing into his chest could feel Chuck shaking and she adjusted her hold to him tighter as she kept whispering into his chest, "I love you Chuck."

It was over in few short minutes as Chuck collapsed into the strong arms of Sarah Walker who amazingly held him upright. Casey and Orion came over to help but she would not leave Chuck's side as they quickly carried him out of the projection room. Orion making sure to grab the Intersect cube knowing the bombers were close by.

Orion smiled as they quickly ran out of the projection room and into their car. He had a lot of regrets for his lack of being a good father. For once though, he was able to do something wonderful for his son. He was able to give him freedom. Freedom from the Government, freedom from Fulcrum, freedom from those that would pursue the Intersect, and of course freedom to be with the woman he loved. Yeah he made mistakes in his life. But today, he had finally done something right. Now he just had to make sure that his family stayed safe. The redesign of the Intersect should keep the government or anyone from bothering his family again. This would now give him an opportunity to do something he had wanted to do for so long. Be a father to his kids and to find a way to free his wife.

A/N: I have to say I was a little disappointed in the season finale last night. Not going to ruin anything for those that might not of seen it, but I was left wanting, and not in a good way. Oh well, just one more thing to have to fix.