I do not own Chuck.

Ok so now the major hurdle that was taking them away from their new life has been dealt with a new problem will arise in the form of the two secrets that are being held. Just wanted to warn you that they will come out very soon but I'm going about it showing you how they are dealing with it before making the reveal. Hope you enjoy.

Chapter 20 – Let's Get Planning

With his beer bottle in hand, Chuck wanted to enjoy his catch up with his best friend Morgan but with his secret weighing heavily on his mind. Morgan knew his best friend inside out and what he expected to see was Chuck return home with an ecstatic joy that finally it was all done and him and Sarah could move on. This was something he didn't expect and being friends for all these years showed.

'Buddy what is it you're not telling me and Sarah?'

'What do you mean?'

'Quinn's gone, you got your wife back and finally Daniel and Evelyn Shaw are gone for good this time, you should be bursting with joy but you're out here with me and being slightly off.'

'I'm good Morgan, just taking it all in. 5yrs of hard work and I'm finally done, it's a lot to adjust too.'

'I get Chuck but that's not all and if I can see it I'm sure Sarah will start too as well. You know she hates secrets and from past experiences I can't keep them from her when she is interrogating me.'

He was right. Morgan was starting to see the obvious tension Chuck was handling and if he could see it, soon Sarah would and he couldn't keep lying and lying. But telling her felt worse because he wouldn't want to put all that guilt on her shoulders. Sarah would be devastated to learn that she shot down an innocent civilian and that could prove the final nail in a long list of hurt she has endured. He wanted to tell her, but he wanted her to be happy. Chuck was caught in a hard place and had to decided wherever to take this secret to the grave or come clean before their renewal of vows.

Inside Ellie just like Morgan outside with Chuck was seeing doubts in Sarah's eyes. It wasn't to do with their upcoming 2nd wedding but something else.

'Sarah you know you can talk to me whenever you want right?'

'I know Ellie, thanks. But that's nothing really to say, ermmm.'

'Well you guys are finally able to get that life you've wanted for so long and you've come back from England and you're not really jumping for joy. Has something happened?'

'Like what?'

'I dunno, between you and Chuck?'

'No no, me and Chuck are great, better even. It's just since I was young I got pulled into the CIA and until 5yrs ago, I thought that was what I was going to do with the rest of my life. It's all happening and I'm just adjusting to it, that's all.'

'I know, it must be weird right. But you two will be just fine, I know it. But when you're ready to really tell me what's up, I'm a phone call away.'

With that Ellie got up and headed over to Devon leaving Sarah with her thoughts. What she had asked Verbanski to do was something the old Sarah wouldn't hesitate doing and she didn't want Chuck to think of her like that. She had changed so much, but if Chuck saw her in that way again she was afraid she could lose the only person she has truly loved, it was a risk she didn't want to take. At the same time however, the secret she held so closely was starting to take its toll. Neither of them were good at keeping something from each other and it always came out. Just like Chuck, Sarah was caught in between two rocks.

3 Days later and Chuck and Sarah were off to see Beckmen….

Heading into Castle for one last time, they were met with Casey and Verbanski along the way.

'So you two are really giving this a proper shot then?' Chuck asked.

'Drop it Chuck' Casey snouted.

Heading into Castle, they were met personally with General Beckmen. Chuck and Sarah were all set to quit the CIA but they weren't sure exactly what Casey next step was.

'Beckmen, good to see you again' Chuck said.

'Chuck, Sarah…I have some papers for you to sign. Once ink hits paper you're officially just a citizen of the United States, no more agent.'

Taking a seat, Chuck stared at the paper before picking up a pen and dotting down his name. Sarah soon followed suit and once the deed was done, Beckman pulled out her hand to Chuck and then Sarah.

'It's been a pleasure working with you both. As unorthodox as this team was, it certainly was the best and the CIA and NSA will miss you dearly. Now Colonel Casey have you given it any thought?'

Chuck and Sarah looked at each other in confusion, what exactly was Casey's next step.

'Yes General, both I and Verbanski will take you up on that offer.'

The deal was set with a handshake and Beckmen left the castle not before giving Chuck and Sarah one last nod.

'Erm…what's this next step Casey?'

'I was waiting for you to ask Chuck. We're both re-joining the NSA. Lets face it, I'm not cut out for just a normal life at the buymore.'

'But I thought you wanted to leave to be with Verbanski?'

'He is going to be with me. He was set to join my security firm, but we're decided to stick with Beckmen. Us…a normal life like you two, I think we'll end up insane. But it will certainly make you guys both very happy.'

As Verbanski and Sarah said their goodbyes, Casey hugged Chuck one last time and repeated exactly what he said to him weeks ago when Chuck had lost everything.

'Russians give the best hugs.'

'That I remember.'

As they left the castle, the couples went their separate ways. Looking over at the buymore Chuck wondered what exactly their next step would be.

'We'll that's our jobs gone.'

'Chuck we still own the buymore and you're great with computers remember, we've got our other talents. Well you have.'

'Before anything happens, I think we can get planning that 2nd wedding.'

'That I can do.'

Chuck and Sarah waltzed off and their 2nd wedding was the only agenda right now. Sarah had been coping with her secret incredibly well lately and it seemed she was able to get past what she had asked Verbanski to due, the 2nd wedding was a great distraction for her. Ellie had called a few times since they last spoke and each time Sarah assured her nothing was wrong and this was simply her adjusting to a new life she never thought possible. Chuck on the other hand was not coping well and away from Sarah his secret was eating away at him. Heading back to their apartment their mail had come, Chuck picked it up and noticed one from a detention facility.

'Sarah….who's writing to us from inside a detention facility?'

Looking down at the mail, Sarah pulled it from Chuck's hands and immediately opened it. Praying that it was nothing urgent or serious that would deter them from their normal life Chuck pleaded for Sarah to tell him who it was from. As Sarah froze, she looked at Chuck.

'Diana…she wants us to visit her tomorrow.'

Chuck thought he was done with Diana and now she was asking them to come and see her. What could she possibly want with them now?

'Why?'

'It doesn't say. But we're not going Chuck.'

The curiosity in Chuck was a little higher then Sarah, he wanted to know why she requested a meet with them. It must be important otherwise Diana had no reason to write to them because apart from recent events neither of them had nothing to do with her.

'We are. Sarah why else would a letter come through our door at the precise moment we quit the CIA?'

'No. They are not pulling us back in.'

'No one is getting pulled back in.'

With his secret at the back of his mind, it cause his moods to sometimes snap and this time Sarah was on the receiving end.

'Chuck we are not going, do you understand?'

'No I don't understand. I am going with or without you. This is something I want to do.'

Chuck's voiced was raised. He'd never questioned Sarah nor ignored her advice or judgment but this time he was putting his foot down. Sarah was put back, she hadn't seen Chuck like this. Chuck stormed off and slammed the bedroom door from behind. Sarah was rooted to the spot, something had triggered him to snap like this because when in the past no matter how angry or frustrated Chuck was, never did he take it out on the ones he loved.

It was the next morning and Chuck had left the house during the night. Sarah awoke to no one sleeping next to her. Chuck was acting strange and Sarah was determined to find out why. Getting up she headed over to the kitchen to pour herself some orange juice when Chuck came through the door. Sarah was angry for Chuck leaving during the night and crossed her arms expecting an apology. Chuck stumbled towards her and she could see the guilt in his face.

'Sarah I am so sorry. For last night and walking out during the night. That letter we got, it just got to me.'

'You shouldn't let it Chuck.'

'I know I shouldn't, but I need to know why she wants to see us. We want that life and something is always coming up.'

'It's not a mission Chuck, it's not an order. It's simple a request to meet with Diana. If you want to go, go, I'll be right behind you.'

'But you said you didn't want to?'

'No, but you do so we'll go. I do listen to you Chuck, it's why I took those guns away when I first moved in.'

'Yeh, that was pretty shocking right?'

'I know.'

The two embraced in a kiss. A bicker or an argument between the two never lasted long, it just proved that their love was simply too powerful for anyone or anything to destroy. Making up for the night before, Chuck pulled Sarah too the bedroom and closed it behind.

Several hours later and they were at the detention facility

Waiting for the time to pass until they met Diana, Chuck was twiddling his thumbs. His reaction last night was nothing to do with the letter but more with the secret that he was battling to keep. Morgan was picking up on his strange behaviour but Sarah wasn't, he had to put on a front when around her as to not to alert her. They had both decided to keep it quiet but Sarah was finding it easier then Chuck. A few moments later they were called in for the meet with Diana, she was led out in cuffs and sat down at a table in front if the two.

'Why did you ask us here?' Sarah quizzed.

'I need a favour.'

'Excuse me? Did you say a favour?'

'Yes. I had no one else to ask, there's a picture back at our house.'

'In England?'

'No, here. I take it with me everywhere. If I gave you the address I need you guys to go pick it up for me and to bring it here.'

'Why do you need this picture? What is so important about it?'

'It's the only thing I treasure and since I am in here for the next 40yrs, I need something to hold onto, just like you said on the plane Chuck.'

'We can get it' Chuck interjected.

Sarah shot him a disapproving look. But after all Chuck was a sincere person and would do anything to help, Sarah constantly reminded herself of that fact.

'Thank you. I stored it in a box under a cabinet. If I give you an address, you can collect it and post it here…you don't need to come back.'

'We will get it for you, I promise' Chuck gave her his word.

As they were about to set off, Diana asked to see Sarah for one more moment….alone. Puzzled, but obeying her wishes Chuck headed out and waited for Sarah.

'Tell him.'

'I'm sorry, tell him what?'

'Come on Sarah you and I both know Evelyn was unarmed before your colleague pulled that trigger.'

'Evelyn was a ring agent, she doesn't need to be armed to hurt someone, Verbanski did what she had to do.'

'To kill her? You see I don't think that needed to happen. I was shot but I was not out, I couldn't move or do anything but I was there…she was not armed and was not a danger.'

'You were unconscious, how do you know what happened?'

'Because I wasn't. Like I said I had just been shot so I was in no position to do anything but I saw Verbanski put a bullet in her and Evelyn didn't seem to pose a risk at that point. Both Daniel and Evelyn have caused you so much grief, I think you would finally want both of them out of your lives for good.'

'What is it you're trying to say here, because your just wasting my time if you don't get to your point.'

'You asked her to kill her.'

'Who do you think you are?'

'No one important but he deserves to know. He told me on the plane when you were asleep that you were the sole thing that kept him sane over the past 5yrs, now I don't know anything about you two but you seem really in love and a relationship like that doesn't deserve to be tainted with secrets.'

'You're right, you don't know anything about us.'

'You haven't denied it though have you?'

'I'm not justifying myself to you Diana and besides if it were true why didn't you inform the CIA?'

'Because Evelyn picked Daniel over her own daughter and me.'

Sarah upped and left, not leaving without the location. Heading out she had a face of thunder but before meeting Chuck outside, she composed herself and put on a fake, endearing smile.

'What did she want?'

'Not much. Since I was the first contact, she wanted me to keep an eye on Lily. Obviously we can only do so much now, but we can try right?'

'Yeh, so did she give you a location?'

'She did, but can you deal with this one. There is something I gotta do.'

'Of course, but are you going to tell me what this something is?'

'One day Chuck….it's not important, just want to give my mum a call.'

'Ok I'll drop you back at out apartment and I'll go get this picture.'

Up until now, Sarah had been coping with this secret she was keeping, until Diana stirred it up for her. Chuck dropped her back off at the apartment and he headed over to the location Diana gave them. She lied to him again, there was no call to be made but instead she needed to be alone. Alone in the apartment, Sarah had no one to unload to. She considered picking up her phone and calling Ellie who had gone back to Chicago but telling her would only mean she push her to tell Chuck and not only that, but she feared Ellie wouldn't look at her the same way again. The only person who understood was Verbanski who had left California with Casey days earlier. Feeling alone and trapped the one person she wanted to talk to she couldn't out of fear. Hating Diana for putting a fresh guilt on her, Sarah had to shut off her emotions of guilt just as she did with her feelings for Chuck back at the start before they finally made that leap. An hour or so passed and Chuck returned.

'You got it posted then?'

'Yep, was exactly where she said it was. Was a picture of Diana and Lily.'

'I see why it was so important to her then.'

'Me too. So now that has been taken care of we can move onto our next part. Our wedding, who knew I would get to marry Sarah Walker twice.'

'You're very lucky.'

'This is as good of a time as any to start planning.'

Sarah smiled Chuck brought over a bottle of wine and popped it open. The two sat down to plan the details of their vow renewal. And all the while at the back of both of their minds was something desperately trying to come out.

So that's the end of this part, next one up soon. Please review.