A/N: I don't own nor make any $ from Chuck. Thank you for all the reviews they are the best compensation! Also a big Thank You to all of my Spanish speaking friends for your assistance.
Diane Beckman was an early riser. Ever since childhood, she would always be awake before any member of her family, and the habit integrated seamlessly into military life. By 4:30 every morning she was usually in the basement of her rented Georgetown row home, on her treadmill and mentally preparing for her day. Today was no different, and she slowly adjusted her speed on the machine, while briefly glancing at the latest news on the corner TV. She was up to a pretty good run, when suddenly the belt on the treadmill abruptly stopped, and she tumbled down hard to the floor.
"A person in your position should be more careful," a voice said.
"Who's there," Beckman called out
"You never know when someone is going to pull the plug on you," Casey said as he materialized from the darkness.
"Well I suppose I deserved that," she said as she struggled to get to her feet.
"Among other things," Casey said as he eyes her suspiciously.
She got up and sat down on a nearby chair as Casey looked at her like a predator surveying his prey.
"How did you get past security," she asked.
"Dumb question general," Casey said with a knowing glance.
"Well I guess it's your move major."
Graham pounded his fist in frustration as the operation spiraled out of control. Casey had left his TAC vest in the safe house, and now all of team Bartowski was off grid. Larkin had once again proven to be more trouble then he was worth, and totally botched the operation. The moron had even chosen the wrong time to begin his assault, as the satellite was not due to fly over that area for another half hour. At least if they had some pictures that could have shown how they escaped, car makes, colors, something. Now we're back to square one with one major difference, a very pissed off Sarah Walker.
Graham didn't fear much, but he would be a fool not to fear Walker. She was an expert assassin, and above all, an efficient killer. He had recruited her and trained her, but even he didn't know how to stop her. Under estimating her had proven to be a liability that he couldn't afford to pay. He first saw her fury when he sent her to gain intelligence on a Columbian drug cartel. Sarah had made contact with a doctors wife named Selma who needed her help. He wanted Walker to spin Selma for info and then burn her, but Sarah refused.
Graham didn't want to stop the cartel, he wanted to set up a dummy organization to syphon off the money from them, so he could build his little intersect army. Sarah was supposed to make contact and then set up the fake corporation for his cash grab, but she had other ideas. Selma convinced her to help her husband, and even though Graham told her to stand down, she went in anyway.
In one day she single-handedly killed not only the head but also the senior leadership of the cartel. She completely destroyed the cartel, and Graham, ever the opportunist, took credit for the operation and rode the wave of adulation to a hefty new funding ceiling. The new funding brought him closer to finally controlling the intersect, but Walkers insubordination was troubling. He couldn't terminate her because he would lose his best asset, but at the same time he needed to find a way to control her. In a way to exert some control over her, he assigned her to the agent with the best seduction record, Larkin, hoping he would be able to seduce her into relationship, which Graham would then be able to exploit.
He thought if Sarah developed real feelings for Bryce, then he would be able to have control over her; but Larkin was too weak of a man to be able to handle her. Even from his position, Graham could see that Bryce couldn't gain her trust, and became more of a distraction to her then a partner. His major miscalculation was that he never was emotionally invested in Sarah. He saw her as just a weapon, that was cold, unfeeling and efficient. In a million years he would never believe that that his weapon would fall for Bartowski; however had he ever tried to see the person she was, rather then the weapon that he created, he may have understood how it could of happened. He walked over to his liquor cabinet and poured himself a drink, but he found a slight tremor in his hand and quickly closed his fist. He could try to delude himself into thinking that it was just strained wrist from some ancient injury which crept back up, but he was a realist and knew the truth, it was fear. He knew that somewhere out there was the most lethal killing machine he ever envisioned, and she would be coming for him.
"Is this really necessary Major," Beckman said after Casey firmly secured her arms to the chair.
Casey remained silent.
"You know sooner or the NSA will be wondering where I am," Beckman said.
"Not until 8am. You are picked up everyday here at 8am," he said as he looked at the clock.
"So we still have 3 hours," he said as he approached.
"You are going to tell me everything you know," he said as he approached her and pulled out a knife.
Beckman involuntarily shivered when she saw the knife.
"And if I don't?"
"Then this is going to end very badly for you," Casey said as he roughly cut her restraints and pulled her up to him.
Beckman winced as she felt him dig his hands into her arms.
"Ok Major! I will tell you everything I know. I just have one request," Beckman said.
"What's that," Casey replied.
"Call me ma'am," she said as she kissed him passionately.
Alberto had just finished up with Chuck and walked out of the makeshift surgical suite, to find his wife waiting with a cup of coffee. He looked at his wife and thanked God for the millionth time that she came into his life. She was the most beautiful woman that he ever laid eyes on, and had no idea what he had ever done to deserve her.
He met her in college when they were both first years, and he fell instantly in love. Selma was the daughter of a wealthy factory owner, and had finished second in the miss Columbia pageant. He was from a rural village on scholarship, just trying to find his way in the world. There was no way they should have ever wound up together, as Selma was pursued by every man in the country it seemed, and Alberto was just a shy kid with very little to offer. By some magical intersection of the gods, they feel deeply in love and never looked back. Despite the many hardships that they faced, especially during his capture, Alberto and Selma never lost their love for each other, nor their friendship either.
"How is he doing," she asked.
"He's alive. A bit touch and go for a while there, but he seems to be stabilizing," he said.
"Poor Mija. She is so exhausted. We should let her sleep a bit more," Selma said looking at Sarah.
"Fine by me."
"You know it's funny. He doesn't look like I expected he would," Alberto said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well she is such a strong woman that I thought the guy that would get her would have to be a superman or something."
"Why is that?"
"The way she talked about him, and well a lot of men can be intimidated by a strong woman."
"A lot of them are," Selma said knowingly.
"How many men came to my fathers house before you? How many men were after me?"
"I would hope not too many," Alberto joked.
"Stop it," she slapped at his hand.
"Do you know why I chose you Alberto?"
"Because you loved me," he said as he kissed her.
"Well yes but what made me fall in love with you?"
"Well I had things going...,"
"Oh please! You didn't have a dollar to you name and no idea what you wanted to do with your life. All you knew was you wanted to help people."
"My father wanted me to marry an established man for money and security."
"You are talking about Juan Ramirez," Alberto said.
"Yes Juan asked me to marry him many times!"
"I thought it was just once!"
"It doesn't matter. I was always waiting for you," she said as took his hand.
"And you kept me waiting for over a year!"
"Hey! Sorry I was trying to prove myself to you. I had just been accepted to medical school and I don't want to pressure you..and..,"
"Oh you never got it, and now after all these years you still don't get it my stupid little man. I would have waited for you forever," she said.
"Really?"
"Alberto I fell in love with you because of this," she said as she put her hand on his chest.
"Your heart. You are a kind man and a good man and of all the men that I ever met, you were the only one that loved me for my heart as well. Even before I knew I loved you Alberto, you were my best friend. You still are my best friend. You are the only person who can make me so angry and so happy at the same time. I almost hate you for it," she said.
"What do you mean," he laughed.
"I'm serious," she said with tears in her eyes.
"Hey what's wrong," he said as he embraced her.
"Nothing," she replied.
"No it's not nothing. Tell me what's bothering you? Are you afraid because we are helping Sarah?"
"God no! Why would you say such a thing?"
"Well you are upset and..,"
"At you, not Sarah!"
"Just be quiet for a minute," she told her husband as she took a few breaths to calm down.
"It goes back to when you were taken," she began.
"I'm sorry Sel..,"
"Just listen," she said shutting him up.
"When they took you, it was the absolute worst time in my life! I was so frightened every day! I don't know if you were dead or alive and not knowing...,"
She sighed as her voice cracked with emotion.
"Not knowing was the worst! I had 3 babies with me who needed their father and one on the way and I...I couldn't...I'm so sorry Alberto," se said as the tears came.
"Its my fault I'm sorry, you did nothing wrong," he said as he tried to embrace her.
"No I did! I need to tell you," she said as she pushed him away.
"I need to tell you this. When they took you away and were holding you. I began to have these terrible thoughts," she said as she choked back the tears.
"I was so alone and frightened and trying to be strong for the kids, but I was so angry to..I was angry at you," she cried.
"I was so angry, I thought if you would have just cooperated with them they would let us go and everything would be back to normal. Oh God Alberto I hated you for that," she cried into his shoulder.
"It's ok," he said.
"No it's not! I hated you for being that kind of person, but I loved you for being that person as well! I was so afraid to be alone with the babies and I didn't know what to do! But I felt so proud of you for being that kind of man. The good man who stands up for what is right. The best example for his children and I was so proud to be your wife! I felt like I was two different people, oh I felt so terrible and selfish. Oh please forgive me Alberto," she cried.
Alberto held his wife as she sobbed and just shook his head in amazement. Here she was asking his forgiveness for what? For being afraid? Terrified? Overwhelmed? human?
He kissed her lightly on the forehead and pulled her to him.
"Selma there is nothing to forgive. I owe my life to you. I was truly blessed by God the day that I met you, and can't imagine what I did to ever deserve a wonderful woman like you. You are the strongest person that I know, and the only thing that kept me alive during those days was coming back to you. I can't explain how much you mean to me, but I swear to God that if I could give you all the treasures in the world, it wouldn't be close to what you have given me."
Selma smiled as her husband embraced her and felt the warm feeling of home and family in his embrace.
"We can't control the future Selma. All we can do is face whatever comes up, and I for one am glad that I will face it with you," he said as they both sobbed in their embrace.
"You know something Alberto you are right about one thing," Selma smiled.
"What's that?"
"Only a superman can handle a strong woman."
Sarah silently watched Alberto and Selma embrace and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She dare not make a sound for great of intruding, and and felt a little uneasy about sharing this moment with them.
"Mija you're awake," Selma smiled and got up and embraced her.
"I'm sorry I don't mean to interrupt," Sarah began.
"You didn't interrupt Mija," Selma said.
"No, I feel bad that I interrupted a family moment," Sarah said while trying to hide her teary eyes.
"Nonsense! You are a part of our family," Alberto said echoing the sentiments of his wife.
Sarah was touched by the sentiment and desperately needed to change the tone of the conversation, or she would be crying all over them.
"How is Chuck doing," she asked.
"Well he is a tough man. I managed to set his broken bones, and his lungs were not as damaged as I initially though. He most likely had a concussion, but I won't know for certain till he wakes up," Alberto said.
"Alberto he has been unconscious for a long time. Is that normal?"
"In his condition yes. I don't believe that it is a coma, and I think he should wake up in the next few hours."
"How soon before we can fly?"
"Well I would like to give him another 3 hours, but if we stay bellow ten thousand feet he should be ok," Alberto said.
"Thank you Alberto," Sarah said as she embraced him.
"My pleasure Mija," he said.
"Can I see him?"
"Sure. I'll take you," Alberto said as he led the way.
"Here he is," Alberto said.
Chuck looked much better then the last time she saw him, and Sarah was visibly relieved by the change.
"Wow he looks better," she said.
"Be sure to tell him that," Alberto said.
"Why? Do you really think he can hear me," Sarah asked.
"Well even if he can't, it couldn't hurt. I'll be outside if you need me," he said.
"Thank you," Sarah replied.
Sarah stood in silence for a minute as she looked him over. His face was no longer pale as his color ha returned, and she could feel that his body felt warmer. Although she wished that he was awake, he looked like he was just sleeping peacefully, which was light years ahead of where he was before. She twirled her fingers around the charm bracelet on her wrist that he had given her, and suddenly began to speak.
"I really love this bracelet Chuck. It was the best thing that anybody ever game me," she said.
She meant it. Sure she had gotten diamonds and gold from various marks and agents, but this was the first time anybody gave a gift to the "real" her, and not the image she created.
"I really want you to wake up," she cried.
"I have a lot of things that I would like to tell you, to share with you. Things about myself that nobody knows. I only wish I could of..,"
Her voice cut off with emotion as she thought back on all the wasted time and missed opportunities. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, she only knew that she didn't want to waist any more time. She reached down into her pocket and pulled out a small silver medal.
"Chuck I wanted to give you this for a long time, but I chickened out so often that I almost lost my chance," she sighed.
"I wish you were awake to hear this, but we both decided that we can't waist anymore time, so here it goes," she began.
"Chuck for most of my life I never fit in. I always felt like an outsider and I didn't belong anywhere. When I joined the agency I turned into something that I am afraid to think about anymore. I was just a lost cause in every sense of the word."
"After our first night on the beach, after I dropped you off home, I don't know why, but something made me feel like going for a walk. After a while I got tired and sat on a bench, and a few minutes later an older lady sat down beside me," she said.
"We got to talking and she was a widow from Minnesota, here visiting her grandchildren. As a matter of fact her grand daughter was making her fist communion, so she was just coming back from the Catholic shop after getting her medals and things," Sarah said as she softly brushed back his hair.
"Anyway she was very nice and asked about my story and for some reason I couldn't lie to her, so I told her how I felt. I told her I was a lost cause. She of course gave me the spiel that I'm not a lost cause, and hang in there, God never forgets, all those things you hear but never really believe. I was nice and polite and agreed with her, but never really thought much about it. She gave me a little mas card when she left and on the back was a medal of St. Jude, the patron saint of lost causes! How fitting right," Sarah asked rhetorically.
"I have been thinking a lot about this Chuck, and what I want to tell you is that since I have met you, I'm not a lost cause anymore. I want to give you this to let you know that you found me! You saved me from the monster that I was and gave me a future," she cried as she kissed him.
"I know it's not much, but it's the only thing that I can give you that is really from me. I want you to keep it near you heart, because that's where I keep you," she said slipping it around his neck.
"I love you Chuck," Sarah said.
She heard him breath deeply and momentarily hoped that he would wake up, but his breathing slowly returned to normal and she took a seat next to his bed.
"Don't go...," she heard him breathe out softly.
"Chuck! Chuck can you hear me," Sarah said as she cupped his face in her hands.
"I heard every...everything...I ...lllove youuuu too Sarraahhh. Donntt go," he said softly.
"Chuck I'm not going anywhere! Alberto!"
"Sarah what's wrong? Is he ok," Alberto said as he saw her with yet in her eyes and feared the worst.
"He's waking up!"