Title: Sacrifice
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: C/S
Category: angst, AU
Timeline: Alternate ending for Chuck vs the best friend
Notes: This hasn't been beta'd but I've done my best to catch any errors

Sarah crept along the back of the auto repair shop. In one hand she held her gun in the other was a couple tear gas grenades.
Reaching the rear entrance Sarah lobbed one of the grenades in and watched as it rolled along the cement floor. It came to rest by the rear tire of an old motorcycle.
Almost immediately the area filled with white smokey substance.

Putting on her mask Sarah entered and threw the other grenade. Coughing workers scattered.

Sarah came up behind one young man just as he reached the front door. She grabbed him by the back of his shirt collar and slammed him against the doorframe. Sarah leveled her gun against his head.

Sarah recognized him from the CIA and police files. A smile crossed Sarah's face she'd netted what she'd hoped one of the higher ups in the Triad organization.

"Who are you?"The youth asked between coughing fits.

"You and your people killed a friend of mine."Sarah replied skirting his question as she cocked the hammer of the gun. She was amazed at how calm her voice sounded. Calm was the last thing she was feeling and she needed to get her emotions under control.

Recognition flashed in the youth's eyes but he shook his head. "I wasn't a part of that."

Sarah gripped his right shoulder and shoved him forward. "Move."

As they walked out of the garage all Sarah could think about was how much pain these people had caused without a second thought. Their original target had been the ambassador but they'd shown no remorse over Chuck's death. Only anger that their plan hadn't worked.

It wasn't right.
None of it was…..she'd failed to protect Chuck.
Some how she had to make that right.

*******

Casey frowned as he studied the small screen of the GPS locator. When Walker hadn't answered his text or numerous calls he'd activated the tracking program. The tracking program locked onto two devices one in her car and one in her cell phone.

The fact that there was a known Triad headquarters in same area she was did not sit well with Casey.
Not well at all.

He contacted the General, grabbed his gear and left the castle.
As he got into his car John knew it'd take him a half hour to get to that part of Santa Monica.

A lot could happen in that time.

Walker was a good agent.
She had a good head on her shoulders.

John shook his head grimly as he exited the parking lot and merged with traffic.
His partner wasn't thinking with her head right now and that was when people made mistakes.

Career ending mistakes.

Merging with traffic John reached for his cell phone and tried Sarah's number once more.

John had to believe he'd get there in time.
They had Chuck back….losing Walker now wasn't an option.

*********

"Look lady…."

Sarah paused by one of the smaller storage sheds in the rear parking lot. She took out a pair of handcuffs.
She knew she had little time before the others came back…..if they weren't circling already.

Sarah grabbed one of the youth's wrists and went to handcuff it to the door handle. He began to dodge out of her grasp and twist his body back into a fighting position. She was ready for that and with one swift kick to the chest sent him back against the door hard. Just as Sarah leveled the gun once more she heard footsteps behind her. She whirled to face two Triads with two more coming from the right side of the garage.

"It would be wise for you to let him go."

Sarah pulled the youth towards her wrapping one arm around his neck and leveled her gun against his head with the other.

"If you value his life so much you'll surrender."

**********

Ellie glanced up drowsily as a paper cup full of steaming hot tea was pressed into her field of vision.
She smiled at Devon as she took the tea from him as he crouched down next to her.
Some days Ellie couldn't believe that this gracious, generous, kind man was hers.

"Thank you."Ellie acknowledged as she eased herself from her brother's mattress and settled back into the chair. She blew on the hot liquid to cool it before taking a sip.

Devon returned her smile and tenderly brushed a stray brown hair away from her face. "I checked there's an open on call room on this floor if you want to get some sleep."

Ellie reached out and squeezed her fiancée's right hand. "Thank you….I'm okay….I just want to stay here….in case…."

Devon nodded as he stood. He placed an arm around Ellie's shoulders as she turned to face her brother's still form.

"He'll be okay."Devon assured Ellie quietly. "He's made it this far."

"I know."

After several minutes Ellie broke the silence. "Any news on Sarah?"

Devon shook his head. "All Anna's been getting is voice mail. Lester and Jeff went over to the Orange Orange to see if she's there."

"Chuck needs her."Ellie whispered as she absently set the cup of tea down on the floor and took her brother's hand.

"We'll find her."Devon promised. "I don't think she'd go too far."

Ellie nodded being a doctor she knew that even as far as medicine had advanced it could really only do part of the job.
The patient had to do the rest of the fighting.
If Chuck could sense that Sarah was in the room….if he could hear her voice Ellie knew her brother would recover faster….that he'd be his old self in no time.
The soul needed to heal just as much as the body did.

********

Casey confirmed the coordinates one last time as he turned down a back alley. He parked at the end and turned off the car. He was a few blocks from Walker. The computer identified the location as a auto repair shop.

John double checked his gun and grabbed his gear before exiting the car.

As he walked quickly towards the garage John could only hope that some of Bartowski's luck had rubbed off on Walker.
That the luck would give him time to get there.
That was all he needed…..luck and time.

**********

Sarah studied the tall thin man before her. He had shoulder length black hair tied back in a pony tail. Several tattoos covering forearms and one on the left side of his neck. Not to mention the wicked looking scar that ran from his right temple to the right side of his jaw.

Two more men came to join the group surrounding Sarah and her hostage.

Sarah tightened her grip on the youth's neck as she weighed her options. She'd faced worse than this….much worse and come out no worse for wear.
But she'd had backup then…..nothing could be done about that now.

If it was one thing her father taught her it was that you can talk your way out of any situation…..use what you have to your advantage.

Sarah pressed her finger down on the trigger of her gun as she kept her gaze level with the leaders.

"Let us walk away and he'll live."Walker ordered.

The group laughed as they moved forward. Several taking up a martial arts stance.

"You would have killed him already if you were going to do so."Ponytail commented with a smile. "I think I will have fun playing with you."

"Not today."John Casey stated grimly as he stepped out of the shadows of the building gun raised. "Federal agents…Do as the lady asked…. now."

The Triad Sarah was holding took advantage of John's distraction and stomped down hard on Sarah's right foot.

She attempted to reaffirm her grip but he was faster. Two quick punches to Sarah's left rib cage had her gasping for air and her gun dislodged.
She regained her balance and put a few kicks of her own in.

Casey cursed and took down the nearest Triad and moved into the circle.

The fight was on.

*********

Morgan leaned against a window a few feet down the hall from Chuck's room. An untouched cup of coffee sat on the sill next to him. His cell phone rested in the palm of his right hand.
Between himself and Anna they'd left over a dozen messages for Sarah and just as many texts. He just hated that she didn't know Chuck was alive….that she was suffering.

There was one thing that Morgan could do for his best friend and that was to find the woman he loved.

Morgan sighed….he couldn't do that simple act if he had no idea where to start. They only had Devon's theory that she'd stay in the city…..she could be out of the state…out of the country by now.

He pocketed the phone and ran a weary hand through his hair. Morgan knew Devon's theory was more than likely accurate. Sarah wouldn't leave yet….not with the way she'd been looking after everyone in Chuck's life.

Morgan pulled out his phone once more and dialed Lester. Lester and Jeff had the idea earlier that they could pull up Sarah's car on a satellite system. Morgan had them wait until they completely ruled out raising her on the cell phone.
Now the satellite idea was looking more and more like their only option.
And if it was one thing the Nerd Herd knew it was their way around computers.

***********

Casey felt blood trickle down his chin. He wondered briefly if it was from the cut on his right cheek or the split lip.
He ducked a kick from his opponent and decided this fight had gone on long enough.

Too long.

With two swift punches John took the younger Triad down. A few well placed kicks took care of the next one in his path. He reached the leader and placed scarface in a choke hold. Casey leveled his gun against the man's head and cocked the trigger.

"Surrender!"Casey ordered loudly. "Now or I'll blow his head off."

The Triads froze and glanced at one another.
Slowly they raised their hands.

Sarah rounded up the remaining Triads that weren't unconscious. Casey shoved the leader towards her as he pulled out his cell phone.

Twenty minutes later the LAPD had handcuffed and placed the six men in three squad cars.
The main charges were assault and no licenses for guns found since Sarah didn't have a warrant to enter.
They'd come up with a story that Sarah had been doing surveillance when her cover was blown. Though Casey was sure at least one of the officers didn't buy it.

Now after everyone was gone Sarah wearily walked over to Casey. Her ribs screamed with each breath. Sarah's head throbbed from when one of the Triads had knocked her feet out from under her. She knew she'd be sore tomorrow from the endless bruises but it'd been worth it.
No matter what reprimand she got from the General and the CIA.
She'd accomplished what she'd wanted…..Chuck had a bit of justice….no matter how small.

"Thankyou."Sarah stated quietly as she reached Casey. She knew he didn't have to cover for her and a year ago he might not have. "How did you find me?"

Casey shook his head as he holstered his weapon. "You weren't answering your phone….had to track you through GPS….Walker…..Sarah….you won't believe this…."

Sarah raised her head. "I know I'm in trouble…."

John lightly touched her right arm. "No….Bartowski's alive…."

"What?!"Sarah exclaimed her eyes wide certain she hadn't heard right. "That's not possible, Casey, we were there…."

"I don't know how."John explained. "I just know the LAPD found him in one of the free clinics near the blast site. He's used up his nine lives this time. I brought him to the castle and our docs checked him over. His brain function is good and they expect him to make a full recovery. General says we can do business as usual once Chuck recovers."

Sarah's mind was spinning. John's words had faded and she hadn't caught more than the impossible fact that they had a miracle.
By some wonderful twist of fate Chuck was back with them.
Back with her.

Casey steadied his grip on his partner afraid she was going to pass out.

"Sarah?"John prompted gently.

Finally Sarah's dazed eyes focused on him. "Where?"

"Hospital. Ellie's with him."

Sarah took off at a run for her car.
This miracle she had to see for herself.
To prove to herself that this was really happening.