CHAPTER 41

The rest of the day felt oddly tense as they went about preparing for Chuck and Sarah to run. He packed a bag in his room including the burner phone Casey brought over along with a tranq gun with a magazine and box of darts he planned on reporting as stolen. He'd hid them all in the bottom of a bag beneath the case of beer he brought over for them to say their farewells, or so it would tell appear to the cameras.

"It was an honor knowing you," Chuck said extending a hand to him when they went to the door.

Casey shook his hand and nodded. "You too."

When Ellie came home he pulled her aside and told her, "Ellie… Casey's going to get the order to kill me tonight."

"Oh god," she gasped, clasping her mouth before pulling him into an embrace.

"He's not going to kill me, El, don't worry," he said rubbing her back. "But me and Sarah are going to run."

"What do you mean?" she asked stepping back, still holding his arms. "Where will you go?"

"I don't know. She said she'll handle that, but I'm going to try and get all the information I can on everyone involved, including all the stuff they did with me and tell them if they don't leave us alone the whole world will find out all their dirty secrets. I don't know if it will work, but I'll try and get back to you. If I can't I'll figure out a way to get in touch with you, it just might be a while."

"What about Orion? Maybe he can help?"

"Maybe, but it's not like he'll come running and this is going to happen tonight."

Ellie pulled him into another hug. "Why does this have to happen to you?"

Chuck laughed. "It's the Bartowski curse. You're lucky you're marrying Devon. Your kids won't have to deal with it."

Ellie shook her head against his shoulder before stepping back. "Is there anything I can do? Anything you need?"

"I don't know. Casey gave me a tranq gun. I hope we won't need any medical supplies."

"I can go tell people after you run," she suggested. "If you don't come back after a few months I can make a fuss. Try to get on Oprah or something. Get it on the news."

"Maybe," he said with a shrug. "I'll try to keep an eye out for it and forward any proof I can to you if you decide to go through with it."

"What about Sarah? Does she have any family I should reach out to? Let them know what's happened to her?"

Chuck frowned realizing, "I don't know. She's… never really talked about her family."

"What about her sister?" she asked remembering the game a few weeks into the cover. "Or was that a lie?"

"I don't know." He shrugged. "You know how she is."

Ellie frowned but kept her thoughts on it to herself. "Do you need money or something?"

"No," he said quickly. "I have some of my own I'll drain when we leave, but I can also get us some if I really need to. You know, I am the Piranha. I know a bit about taking people's money."

"Ha! I guess so."

"Look, Ellie, I just need you and Devon to head out tonight. We're making it so it looks like I have dinner plans with Sarah and Casey tries right after she shows up and she takes him out. I don't want you anywhere near it in case they think you're involved more than you are."

Ellie reached up to wipe her cheeks and sniff, so Chuck moved in and hugged her. "I'll miss you."

"Hopefully we can avoid all of this… but I'll miss you too."

It was dusk when Casey tried to ease his mind by trimming one of his bonsai trees until he heard Beckman suddenly clearing her throat. The sudden noise made him clip the branch he'd been trimming, and fighting off a wince he turned to find General Beckman on his television screen.

"Major Casey. I hope I'm not interrupting."

Looking at the clipped branch he set it down with the trimmers and rose from his seat. "The new Intersect ready?"

"We're minutes away."

"Which means…"

"Your order remains the same," said Beckman. "Chuck Bartowski is to be eliminated." His sigh was audible, causing her to ask, "What was that, Casey?"

"Nothing, General," he said quickly, but then as she reached to end the call he said, "It's just… Chuck's served his country with honor. He has potential as an analyst for the organization. He'd be the best we have."

When he hesitated, considering bringing up his ties to Orion, Beckman started, "I understand-"

"Let me, General," Graham said walking into frame suddenly, and Casey was thankful he'd hesitated. He'd risk telling Beckman about Orion, but no way in hell he was telling Graham. "Major Casey," the Director said, clearly agitated, "can you extract these secrets from Mr. Bartowski's head? Can you guarantee him safety from kidnapping, from torture?"

"Not unless you keep our team active," said Casey.

"And waste two of our best agents?" Graham scoffed. "Let me be clear. Chuck Bartowski has served his country with honor. Now he'll die with honor to protect it."

Casey stared at the screen while Graham ended the call, the screen going black as he reached for the burner phone he bought that day.

"You sure you'll be okay?" Ellie asked as Chuck acted out preparing to cook dinner for Devon's sake.

"Yeah, we'll be fine, Ellie." He made sure to give her an assuring smile as he said, "I'll be with the best in the world."

"And so will she," Ellie said squeezing his wrist. "Besides, like you said maybe it won't happen, right?"

"Maybe. Casey thinks there's a chance with Beckman, so let's hope." Then he heard it. The soft beep from his bag by the couch. The beep that could have only come from the only phone he had in it, the one Casey gave him. The phone he said he'd text him on if the order came through, otherwise he'd use his normal phone to send some cover text.

We're running, he thought to himself somberly, but then turned to Ellie with a smile. "Whatever happens, I love you, Ellie, and I want you to have a happy life with Devon. Don't let my stuff be a burden for you."

"You were never a burden for me, Chuck." She leaned toward him saying firmly, "Never."

"Babe you ready?" Devon said as he came from their room. "Mongolian BBQ beckons. Going for the record, Chuck. Seven pounds, shredded beef. I've been fasting," he said tapping his abdomen.

"You're sure there's nothing I can do?" Ellie asked.

"The man's been on a hunger strike," Chuck said turning to her with a smirk. "Come on, go, eat." His voice softened as he said, "Whatever happens we'll get through it."

Ellie grabbed him in another tight hug which Chuck returned. From the table, Devon chuckled. "Come on, Babe. Let the lovebirds have their dinner."

"I'll miss you," Ellie whispered to him.

"And I'll miss you," he said releasing her, standing in the kitchen as he watched her walk to the living room and take her bag from Devon. At the door she stopped and smiled at him, her eyes glassy. Chuck held up a hand in a stilted wave, which made her smile before she turned and left with Devon.

Chuck sank to the floor of the kitchen, his back against the counter as his head slumped forward and his hands slipped into his hair. His eyes burned but he kept his cheeks dry before he sniffed and grabbed the counter, pulling himself back up and making his way to his bag. Chuck grabbed his phone off the couch after pulling out the burner and seeing the text: Got it.

He tossed the phone back in the bag which held little beyond his laptop, the tranq gun and some clothes. Hitting speed dial he put his phone to his ear and smiled hearing Sarah's voice as she answered. "Chuck?"

"Hey, are you coming over soon?" He asked, thinking on the code words they'd agreed to for different situations. "I'm gonna burn the meat if you take much longer."

There was a light pause on t he other end as Sarah winced and held in a sigh. "Okay. I'm almost there."

They hung up and Chuck took a breath, tossing his phone on the couch before zipping his bag and setting it on a cushion while he took the chance to walk through the apartment, taking it all in, looking at pictures until he heard his window slide open. Chuck waited until he saw Casey walk out of his room, placing his gun in his waistband once he was away from the windows.

"You all packed?" he asked grimly.

Chuck nodded. "Just taking one last look."

"Ellie know?"

"I told her I might be leaving earlier, but not when I got the text. I didn't want her crying on the way out."

Casey nodded, moving to the kitchen table. "Remember, the phone goes on every nine hours for ten minutes and then it's back off. Listen to Walker. She'll get you through this until you two figure it out."

"I know." Chuck walked to the table, leaning against a chair. "I never asked, how was your lunch with Alex?"

Casey sighed. "She didn't show up. Said she needed time."

Chuck nodded. "I'm sorry. Give her some time before you go visit her again. I'm sure it's just a lot to take in."

"It'll be a shame," he said with a smirk, "food's real good where she works."

Chuckling, Chuck nodded. "Shame I never got to meet her."

"This whole thing's a shame," Casey said quietly. The knock at the door kept Chuck from responding. Casey turned to the door and nodded. "Guess this is it."

"I guess so," Chuck said making his way to the door. "Ready to get your ass kicked by Sarah?"

Casey scoffed as he got to his feet, taking out his gun and setting it on the table. "Let's get it over with."

Chuck gave him a nod then opened the door to find Sarah on the other side holding the straps of her purse. "Hey, Sarah."

"Chuck," she said quickly, "we have to call off dinner. The Intersect was destroyed."

"What?" Chuck asked, fighting not to look over to Casey who gaped at them. "But, the Cipher-"

"It was a Trojan horse," she explained, "a sabotaged device. The moment it came online it exploded, killing Graham and six other agents."

"So that means-"

"You're still the only Intersect." Sarah frowned at him, glancing briefly toward Casey, who gave her a nod and headed back to Chuck's room to retreat back to his apartment. "I'm sorry."

Chuck let out a sigh, turning and making his way into the apartment so Sarah could follow, giving Casey a chance to return to his. Sarah stepped in and closed the door behind her, letting out a breath. "Is this real?" he asked turning to her beside the couch.

Sarah strode straight to him, wrapping her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "It is. We have time now. We can convince them to let you go. Let Orion get the Intersect out of you."

He looked at the crown of her head and frowned as he wondered once again if he even wanted it out of his head. Not if it meant being separated from Sarah… but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. Not yet. Not now.

"I can't stay long," she said stepping back. "I have to be at Casey's in a few minutes for a brief with Beckman and the CIA's Deputy Director."

"You think we may still have to run?"

"No," she said shaking her head. "You're the only Intersect for now. They'll want you active."

They had just arrived at the restaurant when Ellie's phone buzzed and she pulled it out to find a message from her brother: Dinner was canceled. I'll be home.

"Oh thank god," she said falling back into her seat as Devon pulled the keys from the ignition.

"I know it was a tight spot, babe, but I told you we'd be fine," Devon said looking to her with a smirk.

Ellie shook her head and leaned over, pulling him into a hug while back at Echo Park Sarah sank to her feet after a brief kiss with Chuck. "I'll try to come back over after the brief to let you know what happened and say goodbye."

"Alright," he nodded, walking her to the door. "How are you though?" When she looked to him she found sympathy in his eyes. "Casey said people knew you were loyal to Graham. I figured he must be important to you."

Sarah took his hand, a solemn smile taking her lips. "Maybe once when the CIA was my whole life, but… the moment he decided to have you killed he became an enemy."

"Thank you," he said rubbing his thumb against her skin, "but I understand if you need to talk or anything to deal with the loss. I won't be offended or anything. I just want to be there for you."

She wanted to say something. To tell him he was all she needed, to tell him Graham died to her the moment he decided to kill the man she loved, but Sarah stayed silent, letting her fingers trace his jaw before falling to her side. Opening the door, Sarah stepped into the courtyard, Chuck watching her make her way over to Casey's where the NSA agent nonchalantly opened the door for her and showed her inside as she told him the news he'd heard moments earlier.

After introducing himself, Interim Director Edgar Copeland went straight into things, looking to the agents in the living room. "Graham thought your talents were wasted here. His interest in the operation waned once he began to focus on the prospect of new Intersects, but I think that was a mistake. I believe his haste to be done with the operation was his downfall, otherwise he should have known better than to use the Cipher without having it checked.

"I've had some overview of this operation and believe Agent Walker's presence would be sufficient in securing the Agency's interest within the operation and with Mr. Bartowski. However I understand Graham's concerns. You're both among the best we have for our agencies, so I'd understand if either of you wanted to request reassignment to a more fitting task. If we're going to do so, I believe now is the time to alter course, otherwise I'd suggest we maintain what has been successful until now."

The agents looked to one another, each shaking their heads as they turned back to the screen. "Bartowski has proven himself an asset beyond the Intersect. We've done more here than I have in the last four years of duty," said Casey. "And I doubt the asset could operate properly without Agent Walker. As much as he's strained against us at times, he's always trusted her."

"I'd agree, Sir," Sarah said with a nod. "Chuck has been struggling a bit with everything. It's put a strain on things, but he's maintained a level of trust for me, and is developing one for Casey as well. I believe removing either of us would hinder operation. In fact I think any but us would risk the asset actively operating against us."

"What do you mean?" asked Beckman.

"Previously he mentioned a desire to become an agent," Casey explained. "Part of his interest in taking the analyst exams was the prospect of convincing us he was capable of being an agent. However due to our run-ins with Fulcrum agents and various other incidents, he's lost trust for agents. He's stated he no longer wants to become an agent. If they mishandled him, let him believe they were lying to him in certain ways, then I believe he would stop working with them and actively try to have them removed from duty if not distance himself from the agencies or even seek help elsewhere."

"Then for the time being I'll hand over operational command to General Beckman," said Copeland. "I expect regular updates, but I trust Agent Walker's presence will be sufficient to secure the CIA's interest in Operation Bartowski."

"Thank you, Sir," she said with a nod, relieved that not much had changed ultimately.

"Graham had many faults," Copeland said somberly. "Too often he valued loyalty above all else and promised those loyal to him things they didn't deserve, things they hadn't earned. You're the rare exception. You've earned your respect, so I'm asking you to represent the CIA within the operation. If you have any needs feel free to contact me, otherwise proceed as you have been."

That was only Copeland's first step toward correcting the mistakes of Langston Graham. The man had taught him much about being a spy, but with Graham gone the shadows he cast over the agency could finally fade. Once rumors spread of him recruiting people out of high school it hadn't taken long for people to call him the Candy Man, luring children to their ranks. While it had installed great loyalty in many people, including himself, it had also turned many into heartless killing machines, and Copeland suspected it was a factor in the rise of Fulcrum. Seeing their heartless brethren getting advanced alongside Graham pushed others to act the same, their apathy spreading like a virus until it turned necrotic.

He spent the next few days reaching out to those loyal to Graham, seeing where they sat now that he was gone. Certainly some would fall to Fulcrum, but others would remain loyal to the agency, or go private, maybe even strike out on their own.

It was weeks after Graham's death when he was sat in his office and received a call from an encrypted phone while packing up for the night. Brow furrowed, he sat at what was now his desk and accepted the call, holding back his frustration upon seeing the face of Nicholas Quinn on his screen.

"Mister Quinn, how-"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Quinn spat, punching the desk he was leaning against as he leaned forward, glaring into the camera. "You can't just discharge me for no reason."

"I think you'll find I can," Copeland said sitting back in his chair, "and I have. Though not for no reason."

"Then why?"

"Because you're unfit for duty."

"Bullshit, I passed my last physical," Quinn said shaking his head.

"And all the psychs we sent you to think you're unstable. I'm not sending you on the field, and there's no chance in hell I'm letting you anywhere near an Intersect."

That made Quinn's eyes bulge, slamming his hand again. "THE INTERSECT IS MINE!"

Copeland frowned and shook his head at the display. "I'm afraid it's not, Quinn."

"Graham promised me-"

"And his promises died with him," said Copeland. "If you want to blame someone, blame Fulcrum for killing him before he made good on whatever he promised you."

Quinn stared at him through the screen, his sneer softening with a breath as he nodded and sank back into a chair. "I was supposed to host the Intersect," he said looking at his hands in defeat. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Copeland felt a pang of sympathy, but shrugged. "There's always the private sector."

Quinn looked to the camera, saying nothing as he reached over to end the call. Once he was staring at a black screen he rose from his chair, and pulled the pistol from his waistband, pressing it to his temple and roaring in agony until his gaze shifted to his left where his Bartowski wall stood.

At the center of it was Chuck's picture from the Buy More with lines connecting him to Ellie, Devon, Sarah, Casey, and everyone else in his life. There were lines to a picture of Morgan, a question mark marking his killer, and another question mark for Orion. Since receiving the Intersect he'd developed links to Roan, Zondra, Carina, the defected Mei-Ling and made plenty of enemies.

All because he stole the Intersect from me, Quinn thought, lowing the gun, his eyes staring into the eyes of Chuck Bartowski. He was a curse that ruined his life, stole his future from him.

Taking another breath he walked over to the board, pressing the muzzle of his pistol against Chuck's forehead on the image. "Time to make this right…"

AN:

I briefly considered having them run and doing a bit of the Colonel here, but this is leading to stuff I've had in mind since early on. I think the tension and prep for it is enough, and actually gives me more stuff to play with in the future than if they did run away.

Had to include a Candy Man reference as that's what I thought every time I saw Graham, and felt it fitting.

This is the end of my stored chapters, so the end of the batch updates. Can't promise daily updates or anything.