A/N: First off, wanted to say thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes. My surgery went good and I'm slowly but surely recovering. Those words that you all wrote and sent me kept me going as I read them recovering in the hospital bed. It definitely helped.

As far as the story, I apologize for this one because it was only partially beta'd so there might be a lot of grammatical errors. Thanks to Gladius who did beta the first draft of this.

I also do appreciate the pm's last chapter as apparently I switched up the names of Molly and Emma a couple times. Thanks to those who caught it.

As always, I don't own Chuck.

Chapter 44 - Home Again

Little did Team B know exactly who they helped with this past mission at Techno Con. Beckman couldn't stop smiling as apparently, their success went straight to the top and Team B was the talk of Washington. This also meant that Chuck and his team were given a rare opportunity. Chuck and Beckman had talked about it briefly, but since that meeting, the idea had suddenly taken off. He just needed the buy in of the other teammates.

"Hey C, got a sec? I wanted to talk to you about something." Chuck just got done talking again with Beckman, down in Castle, and noticed Carina was going through some paper work. He had already brought Carina aboard Team B officially with Sarah being so close to delivering. With the way Carina had handled herself in the op with Ryker and the support on the last mission, Beckman practically begged Carina to officially come aboard as a member of the team.

"What's up Chuckles?" Carina was happy to have a break from all the freaking paper work. 'Freaking' really she thought. She had already fallen into the 'No Cuss Zone' as Sarah demanded of her. Around the baby, yeah not a big deal. But now she found herself watching her language even when the blimp wasn't around. Oh she was so far gone.

"I was thinking." Chuck took a seat across from Carina.

"Uh oh, should we call national security now? Maybe suggest the President put us to Def Con 4."

Chuck just shook his head. "Nice C, thank you so much for your confidence."

Carina laughed as she playfully slugged him in the arm. "Hey, that's why you love me right?"

Chuck gave a sour look. "Riiiiight. That's definitely the reason. You're such a moron you know that." Chuck dodged another slap. "And apparently a very slow one at that."

Oh he was going to get it Carina thought. Yeah, time for some more sparring. "Keep it up beanpole. You remember what happened last time we sparred?"

Chuck raised his hands in mocking surrender. "That wasn't fair. I hadn't eaten all day and was suffering from a mild case of salmonella poisoning"

"Whatever nerd. You suck you know that."

"Hey, Sarah doesn't seem to mind."

Carina was shocked. "Ewww, and ewww." Carina couldn't hold in the laugh as she smacked his hands again. Normally their back and forth before consisted of her flirting and him trying everything in his power to be elsewhere. Since the incident in Milan and especially with all the help Carina had been giving Chuck's mom, their relationship had changed. Carina never had a brother so she didn't know exactly how it went, but she was sure that if she did, it would be like how her and Chuck got along. She would do anything for the nerd, but she would never tell him that.

"Well you started it." Chuck stuck out his tongue.

"Are we really going to do this again?" Carina asked putting her hands on her hip. "And no I didn't, you started it." Carina stuck out her tongue now.

"Okay, let's be serious for a moment." Chuck prayed that they would both be able to be serious because he really did have something important to talk to her about.

Carina could see it in Chuck's eyes that there was something he wanted to talk about. Of course Chuck always wants to talk, God knows what Sarah ever saw in that annoying trait of his, but she would cut her bro a break. "Alright Chuck, what you got?"

Chuck took a deep breath. "It's about Sarah and her career."

"You mean the one she gave up so she could drop your offspring like some litter?"

"Carina, its one baby that hardly makes a litter."

"Whatever. You say tomato; I say potato salad with bacon."

Chuck really had to question where Carina got her acronyms. "Okay. Now that that's cleared up. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about switching gears so to speak for Team B."

Okay, this just got interesting Carina thought as she leaned forward a bit in her chair. "Go ahead, you got my ear."

"Well I'd never want Sarah to be a stay at home mom. I know she says that's what she wants to do, but I love her too much to agree to this. But on the other hand, I also want the kids to have a mom to be there for them, and a dad, and all their aunts" Chuck smirked looking at Carina.

Carina just gave a 'whatever' look although deep down her soul was exploding with joy.

"Well, the line of work we're in now is just not conducive to a safe working environment. However, I'd never want to give up helping rid the world of terrorist and baddies in general. So, what about if we switch gears a little and turn more towards fighting Cyber terrorism."

"Cyber what? Chuck, is this some kind of nerdgasm you're having because let me get you a Kleenex so you can clean up."

"C, do you really think that's appropriate and no, this is legit. Look, let me show you." Chuck knew what drove Carina, it was very similar to what drove Casey and at one point his wife. They loved the adrenaline of field work, finding the bad guy, and in most cases, beating the crap out of them. He anticipated that, so in his presentation that he was putting together, he had come up with some examples of when that might happen. Although he knew that Carina had fun on the last op, he knew enticing her with being arm candy could only get them so far.

Chuck initiated the monitors in castle and started playing back some images and video of past government mission logs involving the Cyber terrorism division.

"As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities for field work, that is where you and Casey would come in. There would also be a lot of opportunities for Sarah to get involved. But where now, you guys face people with guns and knives, most of these would be nerds with computers."

"Are you kidding me Chuckles, nerds, really?"

"Ahhh, but those nerds sometimes work for some pretty bad dudes." Chuck showed mission footage of hired hands, mercenaries and such involved in the Cyber wars. This definitely peaked Carina's interest.

"There would be lots of travel, but for Sarah and I, we could operate headquarters right out of our home. Casey and you would be more field ops, but Sarah could go too, but travel more in the US and more with the family. I don't mean to toot my own horn, but in the real world, you, Casey and Sarah were experts; in the Cyber world, especially with the Intersect, I could be King. Thus, I could control everything. Along with the help of my dad and hopefully soon my mom, our team would be impossible to stop. And most importantly, it would be much safer. No more paper trails as everything would be controlled electronically." Chuck gave a wiggle of his shoulders, and with his best Thurston Howell impression added, "And of course, I'm unstoppable in that area."

"Do you need a moment Chuck? Should I leave so there is room for your head?" Carina always knew he was the best when it came to computers, once again though, she wouldn't ever admit that. But her bro had a point. She loved living on the edge, or at least she did when there was nothing to come home to. That changed recently and Chuck was making some very good points.

"Okay King Nerd, but how will this be safer for Sarah and keep her interests peaked?"

Chuck was just smiling from ear to ear, knowing that Carina could not hide just how concerned she was with Sarah's safety.

"Oh just shut your pie whole okay." Carina could see the nerd's mind turning.

"Right. Well here's the thing. Where most ops we've been on involved bombs, guns, various gasses and poisons. Cyber ops would involve confiscating computers, cyphers, and electronic devices. Each equally important and each giving the opportunity to save lives once captured. The difference being if something goes wrong, we don't all go boom."

"Is Casey aboard with this?"

"Of course. His only demand was that he could shoot someone at least monthly." Chuck knew Casey was just kidding, or maybe not. But the big guy was more than eager to move towards this shift in mission protocol. Matter of fact, Casey was the one that had provided Chuck with the proper channels to start putting together a legitimate proposal to the General.

"Will the government go for this?" This was one of the major concerns Carina had.

This is where the recent mission to Techno Con had paid off. "Actually C, the top brass in almost all branches of government are begging us to head up the Cyber Terrorism Unit. They pretty much have given us free reign and an open checkbook. Especially after the numerous embarrassing positions we saved hundreds of officials from being caught in."

Carina just shook her head. She knew that Beckman was the talk of the town after that mission. She also knew that it was because of that situation she was almost begged to join the Intersect team. She knew the many comprising things politicians tended to get involved in. She also knew if any of that had leaked out, it would have been devastating for quite a few people. No wonder the team was hailed as the golden team in the government.

"Also, with the legendary Orion aboard, no one could deny us. One stipulation is that we would work with the government, not for them. Not to the extent of hired gun, but the ties to the government would be severed. This will actually prove to be more important because there won't be a concern for security leaks or moles to worry about. Luckily from our past accomplishments, we've proven that our team can be trusted and together a more powerful force than if separated."

There was a lot to think about here although she already knew deep down what the answer was. That was obvious the minute she gave up her position in the DEA to come be part of Team B. She still didn't want the moron to get too cocky so she figured she would make him squirm. "I'll think about it Chuck."

"Good. That means you're in so I will be able to talk to my wife about this." Chuck was preparing to leave.

"Wait a minute you jerk. I didn't agree yet." Carina was outraged at Chuck's nonchalant behavior.

Chuck just looked over his shoulder like, 'whatever'. "I'll see you at home, Sarah wants a family dinner tonight. See yah C."

Carina just stood up and stared as Chuck left castle. How could this idiot be so confident in her decision. Now she knew what Sarah talked about when she said for someone she loves so much, Chuck can really get under your skin. Oh he may have won the day, but payback's a bit... bummer. Carina slapped herself upside the head. "What have they done to me?"

{* * *}

Dinner had gone great. The entire family was there, including Orion and even Mary was there via sat phone. Molly and Emma had a blast as they continued to get to know the family and the fact that they were let in on such an important topic, made them truly feel like part of the family.

Molly was sitting on Chuck's lap as she was showing Chuck the bracelet she made him.

Sarah and Emma just marveled at how Chuck made it seem like the greatest gift in the world to him. Of course knowing Chuck, it probably was in his eyes.

Molly was just eating it up as she held onto Chuck like a life line, mesmerized by his every word.

. . .

Dinner and the 'meeting' had long since ended and so Sarah had called Chuck over to where she was sitting on the couch. They had discussed the 'new' direction of the team and everyone was in favor, some even eagerly so. But she wanted to talk some more with her husband about the new direction. Her mom had offered to take Molly, but Chuck just shook his head, carrying the little one with him as they moved to the couch. In the Bartowski family, there would never be any more lies or secrets, ever.

Sarah curled up close to Chuck and Molly as she could tell Molly thought she was the queen as she was part of such an important moment. Chuck shifted her to his other knee so that he could face both his favorite girls.

"Chuck, I'm so proud of you honey. But I want you to know something." Sarah reached up to run a hand through his curls. She smiled as Molly did the same thing. It wasn't a competition or anything, it was just Molly's way of being part of her new family. "But I told you I want to take care of our family, I want to be your wife and take care of you like a wife should."

Chuck gave Sarah a quick kiss and of course couldn't leave Molly out. "I know baby, and you don't know how much that means to me. But I love working with you. I love being your partner and sweetie you are so good at what you do. I just want you to be completely happy. I don't ever want you to have any regrets."

"Chuck." Sarah gave him the disapproving look.

"I know I know. You say that, but Sarah I know deep down you still want to be an agent. And look at it this way, you'll be able to do both. We'll be able to bring the kids with us, and do things as a family, just with, you know, saving the world and all."

Sarah was about to reply when Molly asked something. "Can I be part of your team?"

Sarah and Chuck both looked at the heartfelt plea of their... the little one. Chuck's words about kids had not gone unnoticed by Sarah and she could not deny the closeness the three of them had now.

"Are you kidding me Moll. If you're not there, who's going to be my wing-man?"

Molly had no clue what a wing-man was, but judging from Chuck's reaction, it must be something important, and thus, she was ecstatic as she hugged Chuck closer. "I love you Daddy."

Chuck froze at the words spoken and he could feel Sarah tense up a little too. Matter of fact, the whole room just got eerily silent as everyone within listening distance stopped what they were doing and turned towards Chuck and Molly.

Chuck didn't know what to say as he continued to hug Molly, not wanting her to think he didn't love her, but this was big. He swallowed deeply as he looked at the stunned look on his wife's face. "Oh boy."

{* * *}

"Did you talk to your mom?" Chuck gently stroked the side of Sarah's face as the two lay in bed facing each other. Chuck had already put Molly to bed and it was time to talk with his wife about the 'incident'.

Sarah let out a big sigh. "Chuck, there is something very important we need to talk about."

Chuck could see the worried expression on his wife's face and it caused him some concern. "Tell me honey, what's wrong?" Chuck moved a blonde lock of hair out of her face as he gently rubbed her cheek. She leaned into his hand as if gathering strength from his simple touch.

"Chuck, my mom never raised Molly as a daughter. She raised her as a granddaughter." Sarah couldn't help the tiredness she was feeling from yet another world wind of emotions.

It took a second for Chuck to process what that meant when finally it hit him. It took everything he could to control his excitement. "Does that mean she meant for you to be Molly's mom?"

Sarah wasn't sure how to proceed. She wanted this so badly, but it was so much for Chuck already with one child but now to spring this on him. She knew Chuck would never say otherwise because he was just naturally that caring, but she also didn't want to overburden him with this new responsibility. No matter how badly she wanted this. "Yes Chuck. My mom wants us to officially adopt Molly."

Chuck's heart burst into his throat at this. He had only known Molly for about a month yet the bond they formed was just as strong as the one he was forming with his son. He honestly couldn't separate the difference in feeling from the son growing inside Sarah to the way he felt about Molly. It was odd and he didn't really want to express this to Sarah, thinking she might be offended somehow. But how could he deny how badly he wanted this. "Is this something you'd be okay with Sarah?" He couldn't help hiding his hopefulness in his response.

Sarah knew her husband's tells, and she swore this was one of hope and want. Her heart was overwhelmed at the prospect of giving Chuck two children that she gave life to. "Is this something you'd be okay with Chuck? I know it's a lot honey but please be honest." Sarah was pleading with Chuck to be completely honest as she took his hand and held it tightly in hers.

Chuck couldn't contain himself anymore. "Sarah I want this so bad that it hurts. I know I know, its crazy but I swear to you something about Molly just fits perfectly into my heart. It's like she was meant to be there and its too late to change that. She's reserved a very large spot in my heart and I want so badly for her to be my... to be our Daughter. I mean think of it Sarah, a son and daughter. This is everything I've ever wanted."

Sarah knew he was babbling but she didn't care. She just smiled and kissed him tenderly. No words could express just how happy this made her feel. Once again Sarah couldn't believe how someone like Chuck was even real. He of course had his faults, but in the scheme of what's important, there was no one that even came close to being like Chuck. He was not only everything she needed as a lover, partner, and husband; he was everything she needed as a father to her children. For when you break apart all of Chuck's layers, there is one thing that she could never deny. Chuck would always be there for their family. He would never leave and for someone like her, that was brought up thinking parents and those closest to you leaving was the norm, this was a huge relief and one she was so thankful for. She couldn't wait to start this 'new' family with Chuck.

Breaking the kiss Sarah looked deeply into his eyes, pouring out all her emotions into what she wanted to say. "Chuck.. I love you so much. Thank you."

Chuck leaned his forehead gently against Sarah's. He was about to respond when something interrupted them.

Molly who had a nightmare was standing shyly next to Chuck and Sarah's bed, tears streaming down her face. She didn't say anything but both knew she was there as Chuck quickly turned around to her, jumping up to grab her in his arms.

"Oh sweetie, what's wrong?" Chuck was holding her tenderly in his arms as Molly wrapped her own arms tightly around him. Sarah scooted over to also hug the little girl who seemed to instantly be comforted within the two's embrace.

"I had a nightmare that you and mommy left me." Remembering the dream Molly couldn't control her emotions as she cried even harder, reaching out her right arm to wrap around Sarah's neck.

Chuck gave a smile as he looked over to his wife who had such a look of concern on her face. "Don't ever worry about that little one. Mommy and Daddy will never leave you. You know how I know that?"

Molly shook her head no as it was still nestled deep within Chuck's neck.

"Because you have a special place in both are hearts, and without you, are hearts just wouldn't work anymore."

Molly instantly looked up to see both Chuck and Sarah. The thought of their hearts stopping scared her a little until she saw the look in both their eyes. She was still learning about things in this world but there was one thing she knew for certain in that instance. She was finally home.

A/N: Well it looks like this story will be coming to a close shortly. I figured probably have one or two more chapters left for this one. I will have to see, but I might continue the story line in a new story but I think this one has finally ran its course. Once I've completed this, I will continue on and try to finish up some of my other stories so that if and when I do start the sequel, it will have my full attention.

Thanks again for all the well wishes.