A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and PMs about this story. I am also happily surprised at the number of follows and favorites. A number of you were wondering what Sarah had forgotten at the end of the last chapter. That'll become clear almost immediately here.
Thanks, once again, to Captainrick944 who beta'd this.
Sarah and Chuck have discussed what would happen if he downloaded the Intersect and she expected to discuss that further, but he downloaded it overnight…
Piranha vs The Intersect
Chapter 3: The Intersect
Sarah woke up with a start. She had remembered that important thing, not to let Chuck out of her sight. 'Damnit, Chuck was right. I let myself get lost on the date and drank too much,' she thought.
She called him and got no reply. She called for a taxi and quickly changed into something fresh, ensuring that she put the bulletproof vest back on.
Thankfully, the taxi only took a few minutes to arrive, and got her to the complex quickly. Chuck had shown her the Morgan door before, and although she disapproved of it, she used it now.
She found Chuck lying on the floor. She gasped and dropped to the floor beside him and thankfully found that his pulse was strong.
Obviously she was glad that he hadn't been taken away by the NSA, but guessed what had happened. "You idiot, Chuck!" she muttered. "You weren't supposed to download it when you were on your own."
She felt guilty for not being with him. She also felt guilty that she was secretly pleased he had downloaded it. They would be together in more ways than just what she had planned when they got back to her room last night.
She lifted him gently and cradled his head in her lap. She started stroking his cheek.
These feelings she had for him were deeply disconcerting. She knew she should want to protect him, but this was way more than that.
She stayed like that as the sun came up and was still stroking his cheek.
"That feels lovely."
She had been in a dream state, but now looked down at his smiling face.
"Good morning, Beautiful," he said.
"I should be mad at you for going ahead with the download without telling me. I should have been here for you," she said, but the anger had gone with his greeting.
"But you love me too much to be mad?" he asked.
She choked a bit. "Love? Don't get ahead of yourself, Mister." However, her heart did flutter a bit at the words. She had to add, "Spies don't fall in love."
"I don't believe it," he replied.
"Never mind all that," she said. "How do you feel?"
"My head is resting in your lap. How could I feel anything but euphoric?"
She pushed him up to a seated position. "Much as I like the compliment, Chuck, I really do want to know how you feel."
"Well, I've got a headache and my mouth is dry, but other than that, okay."
"I'll get you a drink and painkillers."
He told her where to find the Tylenol and she headed out of his room. She got the Tylenol and a glass of water from the kitchen and headed back to his room.
He was now sitting on the end of his bed. He quickly swallowed the tablets.
Sarah had been so focused that she hadn't seen the other bedroom door open as she rushed back to Chuck's, so the voice Chuck and Sarah heard came as a surprise. "Too much to drink last night, Chuck? Not the best way to impress a girl."
Sarah looked over to the doorway and at the beautiful brunette leaning against the doorframe. "I was impressed with him when we were together last night. He hadn't drunk much. I think he must have been gaming all night after returning home. I found him on the floor by his desk."
The brunette smiled at her. "I take it you used the Morgan door to get in, then?"
Sarah looked sheepish. "Not long ago."
"Hi, I'm his sister, Ellie."
"Sarah," the blonde replied.
"Quite a trip to come and see him, Sarah," Ellie said.
"He's worth it." Sarah knew that was true from a CIA perspective, but it was equally true from her own.
Ellie nodded and grinned. "He is."
"I am in the room, you know," Chuck said.
Sarah put a finger over his lips. "Ssh. We're talking about you, not to you."
Ellie laughed. "I like you already, Sarah. Coffee?"
"Please," both in the room replied.
Sarah turned back to Chuck and kissed him hard. When she pulled away, he looked at her questioningly.
"I thought I'd lost you when you didn't answer my call. Then, I found you splayed out on the floor and I thought it again."
He looked embarrassed. "Sorry. I was unconscious."
"Did the download do that?" she asked.
"Yeah. Lots of images and then blackness."
"I am so glad you are alright," she said and hugged him tightly to her.
"Worth it, just for this," he replied.
She smiled at his comment. "You'd get this without downloading that thing."
"Now you tell me," he joked.
She kissed him hard again.
He pulled away this time. "Let's not be doing that and have El catch us at it."
She stood. "We'll shut the door when we do 'it,' Chuck."
He stumbled and she grinned as she walked out.
As she handed Sarah a coffee mug, Ellie said, "It's lovely to meet you, Sarah."
Sarah was surprised to find that it wasn't a lie when she replied, "Likewise."
"And you're so beautiful," Ellie added.
Sarah smiled her thanks. "Says the beautiful brunette."
"What do you do in DC?" Ellie asked.
Now that Chuck had downloaded the Intersect and was going to be part of the spy world, Sarah wasn't sure what to say, but decided on, "I work for the government."
Ellie frowned. "Political?"
Sarah smiled at the reaction. She decided she had to just tell his sister. "No. CIA."
"Oh, wow!" A tall blond man had just walked in alongside Chuck. "Dev, we have the intelligence service in our midst," Ellie said.
"Awesome!" the man boomed. "Hi, Sarah. I'm Devon."
"Hi, Devon," Sarah replied. She guessed that they assumed she was in an administrative role. She wasn't going to correct their thinking just yet.
"He tells me that you didn't spend the night with him," Devon boomed.
"He is too much of a gentleman to stay at my place when I asked," she admitted.
"You were slightly compromised," Chuck said.
"I brought him up well," Ellie said.
Sarah looked at her. "You did."
"What are you doing today?" Ellie asked.
"Chuck's taking me sightseeing, but first he's taking me back to my hotel for a video call with my boss." Sarah looked at Chuck to make sure he understood what she really meant.
"And what time is that?" he asked.
"8:30," Sarah replied.
Chuck finished his coffee and went for a quick shower.
As he drove her to the hotel, he said, "I'm not telling him I've downloaded it. I will have conditions he has to meet."
"Such as?"
"Ellie and Devon have to be read in. She's a neurosurgeon and he's a cardiac specialist. If anyone can understand the Intersect in my head, she's it and I am sure his skills will prove useful too.."
Sarah was surprised. "Not a bad idea, but would they relocate?"
"That's the other condition," he replied. "We work from LA and stay where we are."
Sarah liked the idea. California was a much warmer place to live than DC and also she'd be closer to her mom.
"I'll give your demands my full support, and I think Graham might agree. Apparently, a happy Intersect is the best."
The call had two people on the other end. In addition to the imposing figure of Langston Graham, there was also the severe military presence of General Diane Beckman. After introductions, Graham asked if Chuck was willing to download the Intersect.
"I have conditions," Chuck replied. They could all see Beckman's lips tightening, but she said nothing.
Graham looked calm. "And those are?"
Chuck told them. Beckman looked as though she was going to object, but Graham smiled. "I've read up about your sister. It would be good to have someone like her on the team. She has both the background and the personal interest in making sure you have no problems. Heaven forbid the Intersect causes heart problems, but her husband will be there too. I agree. Furthermore, if you stay where you are and continue in your old job as a cover, that works well too. I agree with that, as well. There are NDA forms for the couple to sign. I'll email them to you, Agent Walker." He looked at the older woman. "Anything you'd like to add, General?"
She relaxed as he spoke. "I don't like being held to ransom, but I don't object to these requests."
Chuck glared at her. "There's nothing in this for me, General. I am doing this for your benefit, not mine. I just get risks from this that I don't need in my life."
Sarah was impressed with him taking a stand.
"So, why do it?" Beckman challenged.
"I'm a loyal citizen who wants to do his bit to protect his country," Chuck replied.
She looked mollified on hearing that. She thanked him.
"So, we need to find you a cover job there, Agent Walker," Graham said.
"In the Buy More would be best, sir," Sarah replied.
"We'll need a role for my man, too," Beckman added. As the others looked at her, she said, "This isn't just a CIA operation."
"Who?" Both Sarah and Graham asked.
"Major John Casey," Beckman replied.
Sarah mentally groaned. She knew of him.
"Can we talk about my role some more, Director?" Sarah asked.
"Stay on the line," he said.
Beckman left to make arrangements for Casey.
"What is it, Sarah?" Graham asked.
"If my cover is working in retail, staying in an expensive hotel will feel wrong. I am going to move in with Chuck."
Chuck choked at that statement.
Graham chuckled. "Doesn't look like you've discussed it with him."
She grasped Chuck's hand. "We're in a relationship, Sir, but it's new for both of us."
Graham nodded. "I have no objections. Maybe if Casey works in the Buy More you could have a break. Being together 24/7 puts a strain on any relationship. Let's see what we can come up with." He ended the call.
"Moving in with me?" Chuck asked.
"Mmhmm," she replied and she started to unbutton his shirt.
"What're you doing?"
"Well, we'll be making love a lot in that bed of yours, so this is the only chance of doing it here."
He didn't object to that, and after their first time, he was so happy that he hadn't.
Sarah had moved in and hardly taken any space in the wardrobe in his bedroom. "I need to get some more clothes as I'm staying, Chuck," she explained. "Then, it won't be so easy."
Chuck thought the drawer she took for her underwear was like a treasure trove. "My god, Sarah. I can't wait to see you in some of these!"
She laughed. "And to get them off me?"
It was difficult not to grab her right then.
Ellie chose that moment to return home. "Hi, Chuck," she called out.
The two of them rushed out to meet her. "El, we have some news," Chuck rushed out.
Ellie looked at them. "Don't tell me you're engaged already."
That took both of them by surprise.
"Ellie, we've not even been a couple for a day yet," Chuck said.
Sarah surprised herself by saying, "I wouldn't say no, though." The two Bartowski's just stared at her, making her blush. "Just saying."
Ellie squealed. Chuck stopped her. "Ellie. We are not getting engaged." He saw the slight disappointment in Sarah's eyes and he added, "Yet."
The twinkle was back in her eyes, however Sarah took pity on him. "I hope you don't mind, Ellie, but I'm moving in with him. I'll pay my share of the bills and I can even cook."
Ellie rushed to her and enveloped Sarah in her arms. "You are so welcome, Sarah."
As Ellie pulled away, Chuck said, "There's more news. Come and sit down."
"Oh dear. That sounds ominous."
Before sitting down, Sarah said to Chuck. "I've forwarded the forms to you. Can you print off two copies of each?"
He rushed into his room to do that, just as Devon walked in. "Good timing, Devon," Sarah said.
"Come and sit with me, Dev," Ellie said. She added, "I don't know what it's about, so just wait."
Chuck walked back in, and pushed the papers over the table.
"We are going to tell you something top secret, so you have to sign these," Sarah told them.
"Top secret!?" Ellie cried. "Sarah, what have you pulled Chuck into?" Then, she recalled that Sarah worked for the CIA. "Is this something to do with your job? And if so, why would you tell us about it?" she asked.
"Because you are going to be involved. My fault," Chuck replied. "Please sign, and then we can tell you about it."
Ellie and Devon looked at each other and then bent down, read and signed the forms.
"I am going to work for the CIA," Chuck said. "As an analyst, based in LA," he added.
"So, why did we have to sign those?" Ellie asked.
"The reason I'm joining is because I downloaded something, and that means my assistance to the government is invaluable, but I have also asked for you to be read in. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to talk to you about any of it."
"What did you download," Ellie asked fearfully.
Chuck sighed. "You remember dad was always in his lab experimenting?"
Ellie frowned, "Yes, but what has that to do with this?"
"Dad created a program that could be downloaded into the human brain. The CIA took that and attached all their secrets to it. I now have all that in my head."
The two doctors just gawped at him.
"It's true," Sarah told them. "It was sent to him by a rogue spy who had stolen it. Chuck now has all the secrets of the CIA and NSA in his head."
"So, they made you an analyst?" Devon asked.
"They could have carted me off to a bunker, but I agreed to download it and Sarah had already persuaded the CIA to make me an analyst if I did. My other conditions were reading you two in and staying here."
"So, how do you access the information?" Ellie asked.
"I don't know yet," Chuck admitted.
The brunette turned to Sarah. "So, you're staying with him to protect the CIA's information?"
Sarah could tell Ellie's hostility was rising. "No. I'm staying with him because of my feelings for him. We're boyfriend / girlfriend now." She looked at Chuck whose eyes seemed to express the same thing. She turned back to the doctors. "I'd protect him as part of that. Protecting him for the CIA means I get paid to do it."
"Why did they agree to us being signed in? Just to get you to agree to download it?" Devon asked, while Ellie was taking in what Sarah had said.
"Your skills are perfect to help me if I have problems with this thing in my head, El. And, Devon, yours are too, if it affects my heart."
"Are either of those likely?" Devon asked.
"We hope not, but no one knows for sure," Sarah replied.
"God, what a mess!" Ellie said.
"Could be worse. I could've died downloading it," Chuck said jokingly. His smile dropped when two women glared at him. "Sorry."
"You probably need to think about all this," Chuck said, and the two sitting opposite nodded.
"Ellie, Devon, we want to put a lock on Chuck's window, do you have any?" Sarah asked.
"No," Ellie glared at her brother. "He broke the last one."
"Hey. It was better than waking you each time Morgan came around," Chuck said.
"Well, he's not coming in that way anymore," Sarah stated. "We'll go to the nearest Large Mart for locks."
The critical conversation successfully completed, Chuck and Sarah said their farewells and headed out.
While searching for the locks, Chuck decided to ask someone if he knew where to find them. "Excuse me, Sir," he said.
When the man looked at him, Chuck got a series of images flash inside his eyes. He was staring at Serbian demolitions expert, Vuc Andric.
Chuck hastily said, "Sorry. I thought I recognized you for a minute. Do you know where I can find locks?"
Andric shook his head and looked away.
Chuck continued along the aisle and said loudly to Sarah. "Where the hell are locks?"
"Maybe we should go ask at the help desk," she replied.
As they headed that way, he whispered to her, "I know how the Intersect works now. Images flash behind my eyes. That was a terrorist, a demolitions expert."
"Who?" Sarah whispered. "The guys back there? Do you know what he's here to demolish?" she asked.
"I don't know," he replied.
Sarah and Chuck casually followed Andric out of the store and followed him to his car. As Andric got in, Sarah "accidentally" dropped her purse, and as she bent down to retrieve it, placed a small magnetic tracker on his car's bumper. They followed him as he drove to the Buy More. Chuck parked well away from the store as he was now supposed to be on sick leave. Fortunately, he'd borrowed his sister's car, so that wouldn't stand out.
Andric came out of the Buy More with a Prism Express laptop box. They then followed him to a run down area where Andric got out and entered a derelict building.
"I'm going in," Sarah told Chuck.
"What, on your own?" he questioned.
She gave him a kiss. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine."
She rushed to the building and went in.
Andric had been extremely focused on connecting the blocks of C-4 to the detonators and the Prism Express laptop he had just purchased, and never heard Sarah approaching until he felt the cold steel muzzle of her Smith & Wesson 1911 pressed against the back of his head. He froze.
She quickly zip tied his wrists and led him out to the car. She got in the back with him. "Chuck, drive!" Sarah commanded as she provided him with the address of the local FBI field office. He drove them there and she marched Andric in. She had to show identification before they believed her. She stayed while they questioned Andric.
When she walked back to Chuck, she said, "He was only too happy to help with them being so lenient. Turns out the bomb was for General Stanfield who will be giving a presentation tonight at one of the nearby hotels." She looked at Chuck. "You saved a lot of lives today."
"I didn't," he replied. "This Intersect thing did."
"We need to call this in. You should get the locks while I call Graham."
Chuck drove them back to the Large Mart. This time, he asked where the locks were and soon walked out with what he needed.
When he got into the car, Sarah was still talking to Director Graham. "Yes, he's just back." She put it on speaker. "Director Graham wants to talk to you."
"Hello, Sir?" Chuck said.
"Mr. Bartowski, you downloaded the Intersect and have already made a difference. Impressive. How did it feel to use it?"
"I had no control over it, Director. The man looked at me and a series of images flashed up in my head. Some photos, some obviously scans of documents. I had to interpret some of them. Then, a migraine-type headache hit me."
"So, you need to carry painkillers, but what you did was important." Graham then chuckled. "Investing in you as an analyst is already paying off, and you haven't even officially started. Good work. You too, Walker."
"Thank you, Sir," they said together before Graham ended the call.
"Okay. We fit this lock and then celebrate," she said.
"How?" He was obviously looking at her cleavage.
She laughed. "We'll do that tonight. I was thinking about a meal out with Ellie and Devon."
"Oh, she's already got a dinner lined up for tonight."
"So, let's get home," she said. Then, she thought about that. "I've never had somewhere to call home before."
They had returned to the apartment and Chuck had fitted the lock when Sarah's phone rang. She didn't recognize the number. "Walker," she answered.
"This is Casey. I understand you've roped me into working with you." Casey's voice was more like a growl than normal speech.
"I would have worked here without you, Major Casey, which is how my boss planned it, but your boss wanted you here. Complain to her, not to me."
He grunted. "I've just been told that Bartowski has not only downloaded the Intersect but used it successfully, too."
"He has. Saving a general and many other lives," she replied, taking Chuck's hand and squeezing it.
"Good. Where can we meet this evening?" Casey asked.
Sarah turned to Chuck, holding her hand over her phone's microphone. "I don't want him there in my first meal with Ellie and Devon, but he does need to meet them. Shall I invite him after that?"
Chuck replied, "Ellie does cook too much, so he could join us for dinner, but after is fine with me."
Sarah gave the address to Casey, and suggested a time. "You'll also meet the two others on the team."
Casey turned up just after they finished the meal. Chuck, at the time, had stepped away to the toilet.
Neither Sarah nor Chuck had thought about what would happen when he first saw Casey, but when he walked in and saw the man, he flashed, it was a surprise. The Intersect had more on him than Chuck would have expected. He staggered back to the couch and sat.
"Is that the Intersect reaction?" Casey asked.
Ellie got to him first, but told Devon to get Tylenol and water. She was fussing over her brother.
Chuck brushed her aside and said, "Major John Casey of the NSA. The trail of death that brought you here started before you took that name. Alex Coburn joined the Marines first."
Sarah hadn't heard this and Casey's face looked shocked that it was known. "None of you can tell anyone that!"
"We won't, Casey," Sarah assured him.
"Likewise," Ellie said.
Once Ellie was sure Chuck was alright, she went to the kitchen to make coffee for everyone.
They all moved to the couches. Casey was pleasant to the two doctors and Chuck. He was civil with Sarah and that suited her fine.
"Seems I'm working in the Buy More and you're over in the hot dog place," Casey told Sarah. She hadn't heard this. She groaned.
"It's not all bad. I'll come over and see you every lunchtime," Chuck said.
"It's not that, Chuck," she explained. "I'm worried I'll stink of sausages all day long."
"Seems we'll be neighbors too," Casey said. "There's an apartment across the courtyard."
They looked over and saw that men were working on the corner apartment.
"First video call with the bosses over there at 8am tomorrow," Casey told Chuck and Sarah.
"We'll get my computer set up for calls, too," Chuck said. "Got to be flexible."
"We'll use the A/V room at the Buy More, if we need any calls during the day," Casey said.
Chuck looked at him. "Have you been there already? Sized it up?"
"Yeah."
After getting Casey to understand Ellie and Devon's roles, they briefly discussed what had happened at the Large Mart.
"I want you to come to the hospital, so that I can run some tests on you," Ellie said to Chuck. "If I am to help, then I need to be allowed to help."
"We'll seek approval in the call at 8am," Sarah told her.
After the conversation, Casey headed over to his new apartment, while Sarah, Chuck, Ellie, and Devon cleaned up after dinner.
"That was a wonderful meal, Ellie," Sarah told her.
"All Ellie's meals are," Chuck mentioned.
Sarah smiled. "Well, I can't be the best at everything."
He held her gaze. "Just most things?"
She grinned. "Something like that."
The four of them talked for the next hour. Nothing serious, just relaxing. Then, Devon said the two doctors had early starts the next morning. He and Ellie excused themselves.
Sarah looked at her boyfriend. "Shall we go and christen that bed of yours?"
She giggled as Chuck leaped up and pulled her along to what was now their bedroom. As that thought sank in for Sarah she looked around. She would probably like it to be less his than theirs, but she already loved it.
It didn't take them long to get ready for bed. The sounds coming from the next room made Sarah laugh. "You listened to that every night while having no one?"
"Yeah. It was depressing," he confirmed.
"Well, you've got someone now, she said.
Sarah stripped and stood naked in front of him. She pushed his jaw up, closing his mouth. "Come on," she said. "Time to compete."
A/N: That covers the formation of the team in LA. A larger team than in canon. Chuck and Sarah are also now fully committed to each other. Not much call for his Piranha skills in this one, but they've not atrophied with the Intersect download.
Please let me know what you think of this so far. Next chapter in a week's time.
