A/N: Thanks as always to my beta Gladius and I don't own Chuck, which is obvious by the way it ended.

Chapter 37 - The Intersect

Sarah was extremely exhausted as she sat, slumping in her chair. She was struggling with how she should react to the current hostage situation because she no longer was only think about herself. Sure, Sarah Walker could withstand torture, brutal beatings, unspeakable acts, but that Sarah Walker had perished a long time ago. Sarah Bartowski, only had one thing on her mind and that was to protect her baby…Chuck's baby. All else didn't matter the least bit to her as her thoughts turned to their baby. The baby was her asset and she would do everything in her power to keep it safe.

Sarah was already mentally preparing a backup plan just in case something stalled what she knew would be Chuck's plan to rescue them. She may have changed a lot over the past two years, but she was still one of the best when it came to her fighting ability, not to mention escape and evasion techniques. Sarah knew now was not the time to escape until she learned more about her surroundings. Plus she needed to give time for Chuck to get here, it never hurt to have back-up. Staging an escape right now would be too dangerous for the baby. She would bide some more time, until it was necessary to implement own plans.

Luckily, her body was still in pretty good shape all things considering. The morning sickness was just that, in the morning so she had continued to train, aerobic activity only, which has turned out to be a good thing now. Sarah figured it has been at least 24 hours since her abduction and besides since the initial beating, the one during the taping, and the one a few hours ago, she was pretty much left alone.

She had only seen three captors so far but each wore a black mask. She could tell by the way they moved, not to mention their build, and unless she was being held by the Romanian Woman's Power lifting team, there were two men and one woman. She knew there were probably more outside besides the three that had come in. Luckily there must have been a miniscule part pity in the men that still had a conscious guilty about striking and torturing a pregnant woman. The female on the other hand held nothing back, to the point where the men had been the ones constantly holding her back.

Sarah knew exactly who had tranquilized her, who had kidnapped her, and who the bitch… Sarah stopped herself. Who the bad person was that was beating her. Even in the darkness and loneliness, Sarah had to smile thinking that she didn't want her baby to hear those bad words and how asinine it sounded to her, but it held her back. It was strange, but Sarah didn't even want to think it because she had a crazy idea the baby would think it too. It was also the reason she was trying to stay calm, everything was for this baby. Her and Chuck's precious little gift.

Sarah leaned forward so that her head bent downwards towards her stomach and whispered, "Hold on sweetie. Daddy's coming."

{* * *}

Casey had seen men trained in the art of torture, master assassins, the most dedicated of the dedicated in doing what it took. Hell he was probably the coldest of them all before Bartowski came along and changed him. He had been among Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and fellow Marines; but never had he seen such fierce determination as he was seeing in Chuck Bartowski. The man was possessed.

"You doing okay kid?" Casey looked next to him as the two were driving at full speed down a Nevada highway in the Crown Vic.

"No." Was all Chuck could say as he stared coldly out the window.

"We're getting her back kid and everything will be fine. It's Sarah Chuck, she doesn't know how to fail." Casey knew the odds were stacked against them. Especially after the minute they informed Beckman of their plans, Beckman had been ordered to stand down from someone above her. They were not going to get any support from the government as it was obvious the Ring had infiltrated at the highest level. He didn't need to know what Chuck was thinking when they got the call from Beckman on the secure line, informing them it could take days to cut through the red tape. Beckman informed them she would do everything she could to straighten this out, but they could tell her hands were tied.

That left just himself and as Chuck wanted to be called from now on, 'The Intersect'. Of course, Casey had implemented a few plans of his own, but he dare not tell the kid about that.

It took them a few hours to arrive at their destination. They both knew that the Ring was expecting them so they had to go out of their way indirectly to get to this location. Casey was still having a hard time understanding how exactly Chuck knew where the Ring facility was. The only thing Chuck said was that the Intersect was programmed with certain tells that only he and Sarah knew. The rest was just the incredible ability of the Intersect to analyze every minute detail and come up with pattern that led to the very facility they were camping out.

{7:00 p.m.}

"How many do you count, Colonel?" The Intersect was also monitoring the current facility, along with his partner, through night vision goggles.

The title did not go unnoticed by Casey. "I have four roaming patrols, two by two. Covering east and west side."

"I have a group of four heavily armed men on the south side with trip wires and ground sensors throughout the compound."

Casey knew this was the place alright, he had never seen such heavy fortification and this was just the outside. He could only imagine what was on the inside. After typing in the coordinates and a brief layout of the facility on his hand-held which he kept hidden from Chuck, Casey looked over and asked, "What's the plan?"

"Our best route is to take the south side entrance although this will also be the most dangerous tactical route. If we don't follow my path exactly, and time the taking out of the guards exactly to the second, the entire facility will go in lock-down and then we lose easy access." Even though Chuck was ready to do whatever it took to get his wife back, he still wanted to be smart about it. Stealth at this point was much smarter than brute force, but if it came to it, Chuck was ready.

Casey grabbed Chuck's arm to have him turn to him. "Listen Chuck, I know what you are willing to do and trust me, neither I nor Sarah, nor anyone will condemn you for it. But I want you to think about what you're doing. Remember, this will be something you have to live with for the rest of your life."

Chuck took a deep breath, for the first time in the past 24 hours since losing his wife, the anger had subsided a tiny bit to let his true conscious take over. "Casey, I truly appreciate your concern and believe it or not, I do understand the consequences. I've thought about this and while the husband/father side of me wants to destroy them all, I know that some of these men and or woman may not fully realize what they're doing. I promise you I won't be going Rambo on anybody, but make no mistake…the Ring will be destroyed today. The people that are responsible for doing this to my wife will be held accountable and pay the ultimate price." Chuck became even more serious as the next admission would be his final declaration. "Casey, the Intersect is no longer going to hide and cower in the face of those trying to steal it. This day will mark the day that all those conspiring to capture me will realize the full force of what the Intersect can do. They will understand that any attempts at continuing to pursue me or hurt any of my family to get me, will result in Hell on earth for them. No longer will I run. No longer will I rely on those giving their life to protect me. Today, the full power of the Intersect will be unleashed."

Chuck held up his right hand as Casey grasped it firmly, feeling the true power of their friendship. Casey knew he would do anything for this man.

"Now let's get our girl back." With that, Chuck nodded his head, turned to the compound and flashed on the security system. Within seconds, the two were off towards the south entrance.

{* * *}

Sarah was doing everything in her power to control her emotions. Her body maybe stuck in this... heck hole, but she needed her mind to go elsewhere. She needed to find her calm center.

She thought about her childhood growing up and the decisions she made and the decisions she should've made. She loved her father with all her heart, and even though she lived the life of a con artist, she didn't know any better back then. To her, in a way it was an exciting life style and since she was so good at it, her dad was always sending her praises and treating her like the greatest thing in the world. Unfortunately, those moments, those cons, blinded her from what a life with her own mother could've been.

Being a mom now herself, her mind drifted back to her own mother. At the time, Samantha was to rebellious and to much a daddy's girl to realize just how special her mom really was. Her mom only had the best intentions for her, but Sarah was to blinded to see past the excitement of going on the run with her dad. It was actually one of her biggest regrets now. She would do anything to go back in time and possibly make a different decision. Or at least convince her dad to allow her more time with her mom.

One thing Sarah could never deny though was as bad as her life might have been, without the course of events that transpired, she would have never met, married, and started a family with the man of her dreams.

This put a smile to her lips as she thought about the first time she was partnered with Bryce. She recalled how upset her partner was and even though honestly, she could care less at the time, she knew that to have an effective partnership, she had to be civil. She remembered spending all night at a bar down the road, listening to Bryce tell his sad story about this guy he met in college. How this guy, her guy, was the most amazing person and how horrible he felt for what he had to do. Sarah could think what she wanted, but hearing Bryce describe his best friend, the detail of not only looks, but the depth that Bryce seemed to know of Chuck's soul, was the moment she fell in love with Chuck Bartowski. Fairy tale be damned, once she was fed that 'Chuck' morsel, she had to have more.

She loved Bryce like a brother, but she knew their relationship in the beginning was probably due to the fact Sarah wanted to hear more about this 'friend' of Bryce. She would sit up all night just listening to Bryce's stories about his college years and the friendship he formed. It was probably kind of pathetic and a little disturbing for two seasoned, deadly spies to sit up all night talking about someone one she had never met, and the other had only known for a few years, but obviously this wasn't just some ordinary guy.

Sarah couldn't help the tears as she thought about her husband, her one and only true love, her best friend, her everything. She inhaled deeply as for a moment, his scent overwhelmed her. It was like a muscle memory, but her body was reminding her of what it was that it craved. It was almost as if even the baby needed its daddy because all of her wanted Chuck so badly. If she closed her eyes tightly enough, she could even feel him near.

She thought about the first time she saw him. She was so confident in her own spy abilities that she could control the situation that she was not prepared for the sheer force of 'The Chuck'. The second his eyes met hers, the moment he spoke, the moment their hands briefly touched, she knew the walls were coming down. She was helpless to do anything about it.

And now look at her. The mighty enforcer was now about to become a real girl. Chuck's real girl and nothing was going to stop her. Her life as a CIA operative meant nothing anymore. She still would never be the stay at home, barefoot and pregnant type of mom, but she wasn't going to be thoughtless about it either. She had two other people to think about now and every decision she made would be based on that fact. It wasn't like she was giving up her old life; she was just making a new one. It wasn't like she was quitting her profession; she was just starting a new one.

She understood the need for independence, but she had been independent all her life. She may be a love sick wife, craving her little nerd every second of every day, but it was her right to feel like that. It was her right to want to be a wife and a mother. She wanted this more than anything. She wanted to cook dinner for her husband, feed and take care of their baby, clean, do all those things. Not because it was her duty or that is what woman are supposed to do, no, she wanted to do it because it made her feel important. As crazy as it sounds, with all the life's that she had saved as a CIA operative, all the good she has done, it was the role of mother and wife that made her feel like she was worth something. Besides, Chuck had to do his share of cooking and cleaning too it was only fair and he could be so nitpicky. Sarah grinned at some memories.

Of course it wouldn't matter to Chuck what she chose to do. He only cared about her happiness and while she loved that about him, it was what drove her to want to make him just as happy. His happiness was the most important thing to her and it is what made her the happiest. Her joy, her love, her happiness comes from making and seeing Chuck happy. Why? Because she knows that Chuck is the most selfless person alive and he deserves this new life they are starting. He would never admit to it, but he does deserve it. He deserves the best that she has, and she will never let him down.

It's a real simple concept for her. When everything is stripped away, and the rawest of elements are left, it all comes down to love. She loves Chuck Bartowski. Her thoughts were soon interrupted as the bane of her existence stormed into the room.

. . .

Chuck knew this could quickly turn into a suicide mission if they weren't careful. The path inside the facility was difficult, but they were able to bypass all the security features and get in with minimal interference. But now they were stuck in a side hallway, not really sure which way to proceed.

"Does the Intersect have anything?" Casey whispered as he leaned over towards Chuck.

Chuck was trying to initiate the schematics in the Intersect but the building must have been recently renovated because the plans it revealed did not compute to what they were seeing on the inside. It was like a catacomb of hallways and doors and he honestly had no clue where to go. "Damn it Casey, the plans inside the Intersect are old. I have no idea where to…" Chuck stopped instantly as a light at the end of the hall started blinking.

Casey saw it too, and couldn't help but grin inwardly.

Chuck just shook his head as he turned to Casey. "I thought this was just a you and I op. No one else was to be involved."

Casey just gave an innocent look. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Chuck just smirked. "Okay dad, lead the way." Chuck spoke as he and Casey followed down the hall towards the blinking light.

. . .

"Look at me you little piece of shit." Jill grabbed Sarah's head yanking it backward. Jill was practically spitting her venom all over Sarah's face.

Sarah felt like her brain exploded as the pain from her hair being pulled along with the angle of her neck, caused her eyes to water. The agent inside wanted so bad to rage at this piece of... er, bad person but she knew she had to stay calm. It was obvious by the removal of the mask that Jill was ready to take whatever this was to the next level. Sarah knew this situation was a ticking time bomb and she had to be careful. By knowing now, that Jill was part of it, the odds of her being let go just went down the toilet.

"You took everything from me you know that? Why couldn't you have just been the cold hearted spy your records said you were? It should have been so easy for you to string Chuck along until you met Shaw. Then I know you would have been smitten with him just like I was." Jill slapped her one more time. "But nooooo. You had to give into your heart and actually do something about your feelings. I thought you were better than that Ms. Sam Burton."

Sarah cringed at her real name being used. That name meant nothing to her now, but she hated the thought of anyone but Chuck ever knowing her real name. That was something as a spy, she held sacred. She would never, ever give her name out to anyone, not even Super Man himself deserved that right. Only Chuck. "Please Jill, just listen to me." Sarah was trying her best to bury her anger.

Sarah leaned over a bit, trying her best to shield the baby as she knew more punches were coming. "I never took anything from you Jill. I tried everything to keep Chuck from falling in love with me, but he did. And once he did, I just couldn't fight it. You have to know how that..."

Jill punched Sarah right in the mouth.

"Don't you dare claim to know what I feel. He was mine first and he will be mine again. There is nothing you can do about it." Jill struck Sarah again, this time drawing blood.

"Jill, it's not a choice for me anymore. Chuck is part of me, we are one, and no matter what anyone tries to do, we will never be apart. It's just too late for that." Okay so maybe brain should have intervened with heart, but Sarah couldn't deny the facts.

Jill was beyond enraged at the smugness in her enemy's words. This was it; she had enough as she reached for her gun. She didn't care what the Ring Elders had planned; she was going to end this blond slut right now. She held the gun straight out towards Sarah's head, this was it as a smile spread across her face.

"PUT THE GUN DOWN!" Chuck burst into the room aiming his weapon at Sheryl, momentarily stunned by what he saw.

Jill barely had time to react as she ran next to Sarah, pressing her gun firmly against Sarah's head. "Listen to me Chuck; you don't want to do this."

Chuck hated himself for hesitating when he barged in, but the sight of Sheryl, and the betrayal that he felt caused him pause. He was not sure what he would find so he wasn't ready for the betrayal he saw in front of him.

Sarah was looking into Chuck's eyes as she couldn't stop the tears. She could see the conflict and knew that Jill would try to manipulate him. For all the love that they had for one another, it was Jill, and she knew it would always be hard to compete with that. She wanted so badly to hold him, and tell him how much she loved him, but all she could whisper was his name. The emotion just too much seeing her husband again. "Chuck."

Chuck quickly looked at his wife as he could now see the bruises and marks all over her face. He quickly looked down at her stomach and back up again, only to see Sarah carefully nod her head, letting him know everything was okay.

Chuck knew he had to end this quickly as he flashed on marksmanship. He could not take the chance of missing. Sheryl had betrayed them, in the worst possible way.

Jill could see Chuck flashing and knew what was coming. She had to throw a monkey in the wrench to throw Chuck off guard. There was only one way to do that. "Chuck, please. I don't want to hurt anyone, there is something you need to know about Agent Walker." Jill could see the coldness in Chuck's eyes. She had to act quick. It was time to bring out the big guns, she knew Chuck couldn't resist the real her. "Chuck, it's me, Jill... Jill Roberts."

Chuck tilted his head as reality slammed into him like a freight train.

Jill knew she had him. "Chuck, you know I love you, always..." Jill never finished as her brains were blown out the back of her head.

"Go to hell Jill." Chuck growled quickly as he lowered his weapon and ran to his stunned wife.

Now Sarah knew it was not possible to love her husband any more than she already did. She never questioned his commitment to her or his dedication. Even so, what he just did solidified any doubts she may ever have. Chuck just chose her and he didn't even think twice. There was no ten minute dialogue back and forth about lost opportunities. Chuck had once again chose her, and it was final this time. She honestly could not love him more than at this moment.

"Honey are you okay?" Chuck quickly untied his wife as she launched herself into his arms.

"Chuck, I love you." Sarah was trying not to lose it but her darn hormones just would not listen. The feel, the smell, the warmth of her husband holding her in his arms just made her lose it. "I missed you so much."

"I know baby, I know." Chuck was checking her over as quick as he could, all the while supporting her as they made their way out of the room.

"Where's Casey?" Sarah was looking around.

"Well, he's down the hall, near the exit at the top of the building, probably by my count, holding off about fifty men.

. . .

Chuck and Sarah came running up to the location where Casey was pinned down. Even though instinct told him to protect Sarah, Chuck knew his wife could hold her own and did not need coddling. Even so, he couldn't help but hold her hand and give her a look.

Sarah had already checked her weapon as she and Chuck came running up to Casey. Sarah noticed the carnage left in the wake on their journey up here. She could not believe the sheer force of what Chuck must have faced to get to her and yet he made it. But now, once again, they were faced with incredible odds.

Chuck and Sarah both quickly duck behind the wall where Casey was pinned down. Sarah felt Chuck's hand and could instantly read his body language. Her husband wanted to protect her, yet he cared enough about her to know that she could handle herself. Even so, she couldn't help but pull him in for a quick kiss. Might not of been the best of situations for showing affection, but her husband needed to be reminded of just how thankful she was to have him and that she would love him no matter what he did.

"What do we have Casey?" Sarah was trying to obtain the sit rep as the bullets were flying all around.

Casey took a few shots than turned back around towards Sarah. "We're in one big cluster..."

Sarah interrupted him, giving him a very poignant look.

Casey stopped mid-sentence as he noticed the stern look Sarah was giving him. He looked down towards her belly and then back up again, rolling his eyes as he did so. "We're in trouble." Casey paused as he looked for approval from the mother of his future God child. Once he saw the satisfied look on her face, he continued. "There are about 40-50 guards blocking our exit to the roof. The only other way out has been completely locked down. There's no way out except up."

Chuck was in deep thought as he was analyzing the situation. There were not a whole lot of desirable options. His main plan was to get his wife back. Unfortunately, he hadn't planned much beyond that.

Sarah could see Chuck was in planning mode so she continued talking to Casey. "What's our ammo like?"

Casey had an even more disgruntled look than normal. "We're down to four mags, two smoke bombs, one grenade, and your throwing knifes." Casey braced for what was coming.

"And you two thought that would be enough to get out of a heavily fortified Ring compound? Really?" Sarah was shaking her head as she reprimanded them both. Apparently mother mode had already kicked in. "Have I not taught you two, anything?"

Chuck finally spoke up, although very timidly knowing that this was not going to be good.

Sarah turned to her husband and without him speaking a word she went off on him. "Heck no Chuck. No way and don't you even open your mouth or I swear to... I swear to Zeus I will slap it shut." Sarah was beyond pissed now and the fact that Chuck was making her pissed, made her even more pissed.

Damn her ability to read him, Chuck chastised himself. He knew she would be upset, but he was hoping to calm her a bit first before he sprung his plan on her. But of course, would he expect anything less from Sarah. They could hold entire conversations between each without ever speaking a word. Why would now be any different. "Now sweetheart, just listen..."

"Don't you dare sweetheart me, Chuck." Sarah halfheartedly slapped Chuck's hand that was trying to calm her down. "I know what that big old brain of yours is doing and it aint going to happen Chuck. I'm sorry, but there is no me or you, there is only us. I'm not giving you up for anything." As cruel as it sounded, she needed Chuck to understand that she was not doing this alone. It was all or nothing. There was no going forward without him.

"Sarah just listen to me okay." Chuck was not above pleading at this point. He tried to be strong, but damn the glare his wife was giving him would cause the bravest of men to crumble. "They want the Intersect, and they want me alive."

Sarah was trying everything to calm down, this was not good for the baby, but she could not help herself. This was Chuck.

"If I surrender on the terms that you and Casey leave unharmed, then you guys figure out a way to come back and get me, or I bide my time till I can get out of here myself. You know this is the only way." Chuck gently took his wife's hands in his but she was not backing down. It was Casey's booming voice that practically made him wet his pants.

"Are you done you stupid moron?"

Chuck and Sarah both turned to Casey, a surprised look on both their faces.

Casey had enough of this crap. "You know, it's great and all how you two can have your precious little moments together. Expressing all your freaking lady feelings for one another. Proclaiming your undying love for one another. Well you know what, the both of you can go straight to he... the bad place okay." Casey very rarely lost his cool, but now was one of those times.

"Not sure if the two of you noticed, but this is a family we have here. I may not be blood related to you two morons, but I sure as heck am family. We went way beyond partners the minute Moron Bartowski number one decided to befriend a hardened marine." Casey glared at Chuck. "If you think I'm letting the closest thing I've ever had to a brother, turn himself in, than you're not as smart as those tests say you are."

Chuck could only stare at the emotion exploding from his friend.

"Nobody is going anywhere. We're going to get out of here, but it's going to be as a team. We're ALL going to make it. I'm not about to let these idiots out there take away my chance at being a God Parent. Any questions?"

Sarah and Chuck both had forgotten exactly why they were mad. All they could do was stare, both mouths agape, at what Casey just said.

"Alrighty then. I guess we do it your way Casey." Chuck didn't know how they'd make it, but one thing for sure, they would make it.

. . .

The fight had lasted for a good 30 minutes longer and that was a testament to the training and expertise of the three agents. They had pushed forward as far as they could go but within view of their exit, they could go no further. They were down to their last clip and they had nothing left.

Chuck was leaning against the wall, his wife securely nestled with her back to him. He had his arms wrapped tightly around her as she laid her head back against his shoulder. Her eyes were closed as the sound of the battle was now completely blacked out to her. The only thought was this was how it was going to end, and she would have it no other way. She was going to die in the arms of the man she loved, with their child inside of her. Her life would be cut short, but she had no regrets.

Chuck was weighing his options. He didn't want it to end like this, but his wife would not let him go and neither would Casey who was now completely spent as he too was leaning against the wall next to him. Chuck could see the end in his best friend's eyes and it was so surreal.

Chuck took a calming breadth as he initiated the Intersect.

Once the flash was done, he cautiously turned his wife around to look her in the eyes. Nothing could really be said at this moment. Their lives, their love, their friendship had all come to this moment. They were together, and this is how it would end. "I love you!" And with that, husband and wife kissed for the last time as Chuck placed a gentle hand on his wife's belly. "I love you both."

Sarah hugged him tightly, and Chuck then motioned Casey over to where all three stood in a tight embrace, safely behind the wall that would provide them their last cover.

Through hardened emotions, Chuck spoke, "I love you both with all my heart. You two have always saved me." With that Chuck gave one last hug. "Forgive me guys, but it's my turn."

Casey and Sarah both jumped back as they looked into the eyes of Chuck. Each barely feeling the pin prick in both their necks.

Sarah started to cry at the betrayal she felt, as she began wavering on her feet, her vision starting to blur.

Casey grabbed for Chuck, wanting in his last conscious moment to beat the kid to death.

Chuck knew he would never be forgiven for this, but he would never let anyone hurt his family, if there was something he could do about it. He knew turning himself in now would be a bad idea considering the fact he just left his wife and partner defenseless. Okay, maybe that was not the brightest idea, but he did flash to make sure the twilight dart would not cause any lasting effect on their baby. But now it was time to end the Ring. He would sacrifice himself and hopefully either take out the remaining guards, or lead them away from Casey and Sarah. The dart only had a 30 minute affect, so that should give him enough time to finish his job.

He leaned down and gave a final goodbye kiss to his wife. He couldn't help but think of all that everyone in his life had given up for him. His father had sacrificed so much, his mother too, and most definitely Ellie. It was his turn as he carefully laid both his wife and Casey gently on the ground. With one final deep breath, he stood to charge down the hallway towards the remaining Ring Agents.

As he made his way, he forced one final flash. Every fighting and defensive program was downloading into his brain at an unbelievable rate. It would end as it began almost three years ago... with the Intersect. He barely made it around the corner, when the door from the roof exploded knocking him off his feet and instantly causing the Ring agents to scatter.

Chuck quickly regained his senses as the sound of battle raged on, only to die down minutes later as the final shots seemed to be fired.

Smoke filled the area and he was trying his best to focus on the two individuals walking down the hall toward him. He quickly stood in preparation for the final battle. It wasn't until the two figures were a few feet from him and he could clearly see their faces. He couldn't control his emotions any longer as he fell to his knees and bowed his head, thanking whatever God was listening. They were saved...