A/N: This chapter is dedicated to passionovermind, you will be missed.

Of all the episodes of all the series, even Mask and fake name, this one episode tore at my heart the most. It was pink slip. The Train station scene was an absolute joke and an abomination to the true characters of Chuck and Sarah. I love this show, but I will never forgive Fedak and crew for what they did to us on that day. I can honestly say, after watching this episode, I literally got sick. The Prague scene is the absolute worst scene ever and still to this day I can't watch it. So this is my version.

Thanks again to Gladius for his beta work

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

Chapter 20 – The Way it Should Have Been

{Early morning following upload of Intersect 2.0}

Chuck and Sarah needed their beach setting for the coming conversation. It had been a rough past few hours and things needed to be discussed. The loss of Bryce was still weighing heavily upon Chuck. Even the built up anger he'd held for so long in regards to Bryce was outweighed by the events in the last few hours as they talked everything out. It just wasn't in Chuck's nature to be so hateful. He cared too much. And now, he had to come to terms with not only the loss of Bryce, but with the fact that he just uploaded Intersect 2.0 right after Sarah had told him she wanted the old one removed so badly. Yeah this was going to get interesting.

The original organization of the new Intersect Team was scrapped. Sarah and Casey were both in a holding pattern until Beckman could convince the powers that be otherwise. Chuck was ordered to head to an undisclosed location to begin Intersect 2.0 enhanced spy training. Casey and Sarah practically went ballistic upon hearing this. They pleaded with the General that it made more sense for Chuck to stay and train with them, but Beckman said this was out of her hands, at least for now. Chuck was more valuable now to the government than ever before. The upside was there was no way they would put Chuck in a bunker. Intersect 2.0 was meant for fieldwork. The downside was well Intersect 2.0 was meant for fieldwork.

Chuck was sitting on one of the blankets he had brought that was spread out over the sand. It was a cooler night than normal on the beach tonight. Sarah was sitting down next to him but she was garnering more personal space than she had for the past two years. He could tell she was not very happy. They both were sitting quietly overlooking the ocean as the stars glistened off the darkened water. It was so peaceful as the waves crashed on the sandy shore just a short distance in front of them.

"Chuck, first of all I want to tell you how proud I am of you. The selfish side of me is the one that's angry and it's something we'll work through. But I know the sacrifice you made to re-Intersect yourself and I know what you did to try and save Bryce. I'm so very proud of you." Sarah took a deep breath as she looked into the darkened night sky.

"Here comes the bad part right?" Chuck did not look over at her. He couldn't face her. He couldn't face the hurt that he had seen in her eyes since they had left castle.

"Yeah, here is the bad part. Chuck they are going to want to turn you into an unfeeling government killing machine. Sole purpose to answer their beckoning call. They will use you, abuse you, and throw you away when they are done. All for the greater good." Sarah was more determined than ever. "And I will be damned if I let them do that to the man I love."

"We will still be able to work together though right?" Chuck finally turned to her, a look of hope in his eyes. "I mean if you were going to lead Bryce's team that definitely means we can be together. Right?"

Sarah took a deep breath. She loved Chuck so much and she wanted to make sure she explained this the right way. It was no longer about them being together, that was long ago established; this was about Chuck changing into something that could destroy him. "Chuck, this isn't about us being together. You know we will always be together. The problem is the Intersect. When you had it removed, then it was Sarah and Chuck deciding what future to have. Now that it is back and even more advanced than the previous Intersect. It is Sarah and Intersect 2.0 that have to decide. The Government is not going to let us just run off and get married, have a nice home with a white picket fence, and have kids running around. You're their property now."

Chuck couldn't help but smile. Sure this was probably the worst possible timing but he couldn't help it.

She looked at him and knew right away what he was thinking. She was scared to death for him and he probably completely ignored what she said except for the part about married and kids. "Chuck, really?"

"I'm sorry Sarah. I don't care about anything else but us, our future. The government is not going to change me." Chuck tried to kiss Sarah but she was having nothing to do with it.

"Chuck, don't kiss me right now please. I need to think clearly and if we start kissing, I won't be able to think. And stop with the damn smiling. You know sometimes that is just as effective on me." Sarah was warning him to stop.

Chuck deflated at that point. He knew now was not the time for being playful. "Fine Sarah. What we need to do now is analyze the entire situation okay? Figure out what our options are."

Sarah wanted to comfort Chuck. Hell she wanted to take him right on the beach. But this Chuck was the one she needed. The Chuck that used the natural gifts God had given him to figure things out. To put a plan together.

"Okay. We know I am more valuable to the government than ever before. They spent a lot of time and money on 2.0 so they are going to want to make sure it is working. Where before, our biggest concern was being thrown in a bunker; that will no longer be the case. However, now our biggest concern is they are going to expect me to do things that I am not used to. I might not ever be my own person again."

This time Sarah gave in as she ran her hand through his hair. "And honey I can't let that happen. I fought too hard to protect you from not only harm, but from losing yourself. I am not going to let anybody take you away from me and I don't mean just physically. "

"So for right now, they expect me to be trained to be their version of Super Spy 2.0. That is the here and now. What do we do with what we are facing right now?" Chuck looked deep within her eyes for the answer. Physically Chuck may not need as much protecting now, but it was his heart and soul he was giving to Sarah to protect. He didn't upload the Intersect 2.0 to be something he was not. He did it to help people, not further the agenda of the CIA or NSA. It was who he was. If he thought for a second the Intersect could help his friends and family then he would re-upload a million times. What he was not expecting was to be used by the government as a killing machine. Even with all these thoughts in his head, he only cared about one. It was all up to Sarah on what to do next.

Sarah was saddened as she looked at his face. Her heart broke for what they had to do next. There was no other way though. "Chuck we have to run." She grabbed a hold of his hand as she saw the look of shock on his face. "I have been planning it ever since the Longshore incident over a year ago. I just need to nail down some last minute stuff and make sure everything is in order. It will probably take me two to three weeks without garnering attention."

Chuck bore no expression as he looked out over the ocean. "Are you sure this is what we should do? Think of everything we will be leaving behind." In the end Chuck knew he would do whatever Sarah felt was the right thing to do. He just wanted to make sure this was the right thing for her.

Sarah was biting her bottom lip. Of course she didn't want to run. For her it did not matter because she wasn't leaving anything behind. Chuck on the other hand was leaving everything. Damn him for complicating things by uploading the Intersect again. Always the hero. "Chuck for right now it is the only way I can see getting away from the claws of the government. Otherwise you will be a slave to them, never again able to be your own person."

Chuck lifted Sarah's hand up so he could kiss it. "I will do whatever you want Sarah." Chuck was a little dejected but he would do this for her.

"So go to your spy training, and then I will let you know where to meet. Then we will run. I love you Chuck." Sarah reached over to give him a kiss.

After breaking the tender kiss, Chuck looked deep into Sarah's eyes. "Sarah, I want to ask you a favor. I need you to do something for me before I leave tonight."

Sarah snuggled into him tighter. "Anything Chuck."

Chuck made sure the blanket was spread out on the beach. It was dark out and they were alone. He gently laid Sarah down on the blanket as he hovered over her, looking deep into her eyes. "I need you to always fight for us." Chuck slowly kissed her neck as he sensuously sucked on the part that always drove her insane. The taste of her salty skin was like an appetizer to a meal he had been starving for.

He heard her moan as he licked the spot on her neck and gave it another kiss, gently nibbling her soft skin as he pulled away. "I want you to always believe in us." He then slid his free hand around her waist band as he slowly removed her pants and under wear all in one motion as he made sure his hand stayed in contact with her skin the whole time. Her moans grew louder as he continued to kiss every part of her bare skin as he could tell her body was now his to have.

"I need you to always love me." Chuck now removed his pants as he positioned himself between her legs, kissing her taught stomach with his warm lips. He felt her tense as her hips bucked upward to invite him in. He was not ready yet as he worked his way up to her lips making sure to spend a little more time on her nipples as he made his way upwards.

Chuck was now kissing her lips as Sarah had enough as she aggressively attacked his own lips with a passion brought about by days of abstinence. Chuck pulled the blanket over top of them as he saw the goose bumps all over her body.

Sarah was completely helpless right now. No amount of spy training had ever prepared her for this. It was passion over mind now as Chuck was in control and she was completely submissive to him. To everyone else, Chuck always seem to be the shy one in the relationship, but when it came to making love, he was dominant and it actually drove her insane. She was so turned on when he took control that she couldn't do anything but sit back and enjoy the ride. Her mind went blank as he entered her. She could not help but grab tightly to him as it always felt like the first time with Chuck. It had been so long that Sarah could not help but scream in pleasure as she felt his length consume her.

Oh my God she feels so good, she was so warm Chuck could not help but think how great this was. He could care less that they were making love on a public beach. If someone happened to walk by, it wouldn't matter, it was just Sarah and him. This night, in their place would be something they would never forget. Chuck was not fully in the rhythm yet as he had one more thing to say. "Sarah, I love you. And the last thing that I need for you to do is please always trust me."

Maybe it was the memory of the moment that those words were spoken a couple years ago. Maybe it was how much their relationship had progressed; maybe it was the urgency of what was ahead. Whatever it was, those words touched Sarah to the core. She would do anything for this man and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop her. She had to give him something that showed him just how much she did trust him. "Chuck, I want you to know my real name is Samantha Lisa Burton."

Chuck actually paused in mid thrust, as he was not expecting this. If it was possible for Chuck to smile even more than he could, it was happening now. "Sam huh?"

"Oh my God please don't ever call me Sam. I hate that name." It was difficult for Sarah to speak as she was trying to let her body adjust to Chuck but she had to let him know how she hated the name Sam with a passion. It really creeped her out thinking of those jerks that used to make fun of her and call her that like she was a boy. "Please call me Samantha or Sammie, but never Sam."

"Sammie, I like that. You didn't have a brother named Dean did you?" Chuck was smiling.

Sarah used her legs to kick him in his butt which in itself was a testament to her flexibility.

Chuck got serious for a moment. "Thank you for sharing that." He looked at her, really looked at her. "But you will always be my Sarah." Then he kissed her with everything he had as they made love into the early morning light.

{* * *}

{Train Station at Prague 3 weeks later}

Chuck was driving over to the train station in Prague where he was to meet Sarah. Three weeks ago the decision to run away was so easy for him. Heck two weeks ago he felt the same way. But the way the government had been treating him. They actually treated him like a real spy. Sure the training was tough, but he was excelling at it. He knew without a doubt that the training Casey and Sarah had given him was what made him more effective now. He also made sure that his superiors knew this as well. Every chance he got he was always talking about how Agent Casey and Agent Walker had taught him this or that, had trained him on doing it this way. The instructors were so impressed that they had informed Chuck that he really didn't even need to be there.

It was such an amazing feeling these past three weeks. Maybe Sarah was wrong about the government. It was possible things could work out. He saw the opportunity to help so many people out there, not to mention making the world a better place for their family and their future. He was so conflicted right now about the decision to run. Not being able to spend time with Sarah had really caused him even more confusion. He had to make the right decision here; he had to do what was right.

. . .

This was it as he approached the train station in Prague. He saw her right away standing on the platform. In the last two years, Chuck had seen Sarah in so many different outfits, dressed up to play so many parts. Each one made her more beautiful than the last. She was always incredible and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. What he saw now before him, just a few yards in front of him, to him seemed like the real Sarah Walker. Not the agent, not an act, just the real Sarah.

She turned to him as he continued walking towards her. It had been so long since they had seen each other and he could tell she wanted to run into his arms. This was it.

Sarah stopped breathing momentarily as she looked over and saw Chuck. Oh he looked so different and it had only been three weeks since they had seen each other. But oh my God, the night he left was… was the absolute best night of her life. It was probably stupid for them to do that right before they would not see each other but after what they did, over and over, she wouldn't change it for the world. She had to call upon every ounce of training not to run into his arms. She tried to slow her walk towards him but she couldn't help herself as she quickly met him in the middle of the platform.

"Here is your ticket and passport. Your name is Hector Caulderon." She had to get it together, she just could not help it being this close to him.

"Sarah wait." Chuck could see the nervousness in her eyes. He had to call upon every ounce of strength he had within him.

"There will be plenty of time to talk on the train. Right now we need to act fast. Trust me Chuck, it is all going to work out fine." Sarah was getting nervous as she saw the indecision in his eyes. She had to kiss him.

Chuck was taken aback by the kiss. Her lips were so warm and he had craved those lips every single minute of every single day. But he had to do what was right for their future.

"Uhh. That was not the kiss I was expecting." Sarah backed up slowly. She was saddened at his lack of response to her kiss.

Chuck saw the hurt in her eyes. He had to continue. "Sarah there is an entire facility here dedicated to turning me into Intersect 2.0. They don't want to turn me into a killing machine, they just want me to be a spy. I mean, me, having the chance to save lives, to make a difference out there." To provide for our family, Chuck thought to himself.

"It's not that simple. You don't know who you're working for. It's complicated, nothing is real." She reached for his hands. "This. This is simple, this is a real life."

Chuck looked at their hands.

"We have to go Chuck, this is it. Are you coming?" She saw in his eyes that he was struggling. She started losing it as her heart began to break.

Chuck grabbed hold of both her hands. In all his indecision about what would be the right thing to do for both their future, it never dawned on him that Sarah might think he wasn't coming with her. That was never the case. It was either they both stayed or they both left, he was just hoping she would consider staying as the best opportunity. "Of course I am coming with you Sarah. I would never leave you. We can just talk more on the train." He grabbed her tightly in his arms and kissed her deeply

They finally came up for air. "Don't you ever scare me like that… Hector." Stated Sarah.

"Don't worry, I won't. And yeah, about the name, we need to talk more about that when we get to our cabin." Chuck gave her a big smile and kissed her again. He took her hand and they both boarded the train. This would be a day they would never forget as they left everything they ever knew behind.

{* * *}

"Room service." The waiter said as he knocked on Sarah and Chuck's door.

Chuck dressed in only a robe answered the door. "Thank you very much." Chuck then took the tray as a half naked Sarah dressed only in a skimpy night gown came around to help.

"Sir, would you like me to cut that for you?" Asked the waiter.

Sarah grabbed the knife. "I can do that. I am pretty good with knives." And then they shut the door.

The two lovers sat on their bed as they fed each other dinner. Chuck had never seen Sarah so happy, so giddy. "God I love you Sarah."

Sarah had to kiss him. He was so darn cute. "I love you my Super Nerd."

Chuck lay back in bed as he put the tray up. "Ok Sarah, we need to talk about something."

Sarah just gave a look. "Is this going to be one of… " Sarah put up both fingers in air quotes, "…those talks." She laughed as Chuck tried to tickle her.

"Will you stop goofing around? I swear Walker, if I didn't know you better; I would say you're actually enjoying yourself."

"I am about to enjoy myself some more." Sarah gave him an evil grin as she slid her hand underneath his robe.

"Fine, but afterward we talk, okay? Well, if we can that is."

{* * *}

Chuck was once again sitting at the top of the bed with his back propped up against the head board. He had tried to start this conversation for the last four hours but a certain blond was making it hard to concentrate. "You're doing this on purpose aren't you Sarah?" Chuck just narrowed his eyes as Sarah gave the innocent school girl look.

"Why whatever are you talking about Hector?"

Chuck gave her a frown. "Can you not call me that in bed? It's creepy."

Sarah could tell that may be a sore subject so she kissed him and rested her head on his chest. "I'm sorry Chuck. We can talk now."

"Now don't freak out but I have been doing some thinking. Well not since we been on the train, but while I was training in Prague. What if there was a way we could all be together, you, me, Casey and not have the government control me? Beckman already has been trying to bring us back together. Its evident to my instructors just how much you guys have helped in training me. We have already proven we make a great team. Also, my Dad is not pissed at me anymore for uploading the 2.0. We have actually stayed in contact since I told him" Chuck paused as he thought of just how amazing his dad was. Even in a secured Government facility, Orion was able to bypass security and contact his son. "Anyway, he wants to work with me on improving the 2.0. I think with Orion in our corner, and everything else, we could convince the government to reinstate our team and then we could all work together."

"Chuck couldn't you have brought this up before we got on the train?" Sarah was kidding with him.

"Well I wanted to say something at the station but you know how I get kind of moronic when I need to say something under emotional pressure. I figured instead of being an idiot and not giving you a better explanation, I would come with you and try to talk it out together."

Sarah hit him with a glare. "Chuck, if you left me at the train station it would have destroyed me. Now you got me upset."

Chuck tried to hold her close but she wouldn't acknowledge him. Of course she didn't move from her spot either. "Sarah, do you really think anyone could be that stupid to leave someone like you. I mean I couldn't fathom ever doing something like that. Not when all it would take is a few minutes to talk about things. I mean it's not like the train ride last forever. I already requested a two day leave just in case. It really wasn't that hard to think this through, especially not when it comes to the love of my life."

Sarah looked up into his eyes. "I am serious Chuck. By making this commitment whether we stay or go, I am all in. You mean everything to me Chuck; I wouldn't be here if that was not the case."

Chuck moved a stray blonde curl from her face as he could see the emotion in her eyes. "And that is why Sarah I would have never left you. No matter what we decide, we do it together. We have worked too hard at this relationship to throw it all away on some misunderstanding."

"Thank you… sweetheart." Sarah smiled as she reached up and kissed Chuck a little longer this time. She was letting him know this conversation would need to be wrapping up soon. There were other things that needed to be taken care of.

"I have already been putting in pretty much everyone's ear how effective we are as a team. It isn't me that had made the previous Intersect so effective, it was all of us. You, Casey, me, we are Team Intersect."

"You just have this all figured out don't you?" Teased Sarah.

"Well I had a lot of time to think about things. It's amazing how clear my mind is when I don't have your Goddess like body to stare at hours on end."

"Well your mind is about to be jumbled again," Sarah kissed him on the lips and smiled as she started kissing all the way down to his…

{* * *}

{Week later in Echo Park}

Chuck had been removed from spy training a week later. General Beckman had decided, with some prompting from quite a few sources, that Chuck no longer needed the specialized Spy Training. His best opportunity to continue training would be with his old team. There was no denying how effective Team Bartowski was and now the higher ups wanted to see results in the field.

Chuck was in his room preparing to send some information to his Dad concerning some things he had noticed with the 2.0 flashing. It was then his phone rang with the song 'Wings of Change' from the Scorpions. Uh oh Chuck thought.

He cautiously walked to the bathroom and reached under the sink for the 'other' phone. He dialed the number he was never expecting to dial so soon.

"Chuck secure"

"Beckman secure. Chuck, first I want to thank you so much for those backstage passes to the Scorpions concert. Roan made sure I specifically thanked you. I still don't know where you found them they'd been sold out for months now."

"No problem General I am just glad you enjoyed it."

The General then became very serious. "Chuck I need to tell you something beyond classified."

Chuck could hear a change in the General. "I understand General."

"Some things are happening here in Washington. I cannot say exactly what, but I do not trust some of the leaders in charge of the CIA and NSA. I want you to keep an eye out for anything you might find strange. Or stranger than usual. I have a feeling from your reports of the Ring that its vast resources may have already infiltrated the government. I will watch myself on this end, but you need to keep a close eye out for your team."

"I will do that. Thank you for warning me." Chuck did not like the sound of that. He would have to inform the team that they all needed to be very careful.

"Okay Chuck. I will contact you in five minutes on normal channels just to make the reformation of Team Intersect official."

"Okay General. Talk to you in a few." Chuck disconnected the phone and went back to his room where he awaited the 'official' conference with the General.

. . .

Moments later, his TV came to life.

"Agent Bartowski. The government has made the decision to reform the original Team Intersect. There is no denying the results that you three were able to achieve and it is evident that the relationship that the team has is more of a strength than a weakness as we once originally thought. We have also determined that control of the Intersect 2.0 will be left completely up to the team under the guidance of Orion." Beckman tried to hold back a smile as she saw the stunned look on Chuck's face. "I've informed Agent Walker and Colonel Casey about the reforming of the team, so I am sure you will be hearing from them soon. The government is also sending you on a weekend getaway of your choice. Agent Walker has already been notified of this so enjoy your time. Beckman out."

Chuck had to sit down as relief flooded over him. Everything he had worked so hard for was finally coming through for him. The plan that he put together had finally paid off. There was of course one thing remaining, but he did not want to rush anything. He wanted to wait for the right time. And as if on cue, his phone rang and it was Sarah.

"Well hello Chuck. How are you?"

Sarah definitely sounding happy. "Uh, actually Sarah, I am doing great."

"I bet you are. Well, there was something I wanted to talk to you about. I really think it should be in person though. Wouldn't want you to, you know, get the wrong impression."

She was flirting now; he could hear it in her voice. "Well Miss Walker, where would you like to meet?"

"I am already on my way to pick you up. And Chuck, you are going to need a few days off of work. I have already let Ellie know you will be away and Casey is handling things for the team."

Chuck's eyes were wide and it was suddenly becoming hard to swallow. "Uh Sarah, what kind of clothes should I pack?"

"Oh Chuck, you won't need many clothes. I have everything ready, now all I need is my boyfriend."

"Oh. Is he coming to? I thought it was just us." Chuck was smiling.

"Oh you are going to get it Mr. Bartowski. By the way, I thought you would like to make a quick stop back at my hotel before we left. I know you haven't played Tron since before you left so I figured you might want to play a little."

"I love you Sarah!" Oh man life was good.

"I love you too Chuck."

A/N: Next Chapter will be pure fluff.