This is not an original story. It was written during the middle of season 2. The original story assumed a sequel that never happened. So there will be some brand new content in this rewrite and several new chapters at the end.

This chapter is one of the few that was in the original and is more or less intact.

I realized that when I changed the rating, fewer people would read the story. It simply doesn't show up in the default list. I guess I'm surprised by how many fewer. But it can't be helped. There was no way to tell the story I wanted to tell and keep it T. You'll see why soon.

Anyway, it's probably now more important than ever that the few of you that remain stay vocal. And you've done great. Keep the comments and reviews coming.

I still don't own Chuck.

If you enjoyed this or any of the stories on this site, please take a second and send the author a review. It only takes a second – and it really, really makes a difference. That's probably more important than ever now that the series has ended. If you want to keep the Chuck fandom alive and continue to read about these characters, you really need to think about rewarding the people whose hard work make that possible.

The Deal

x-x-x-x-x

Laura Carter wasn't Sarah's favorite person anyway. But the gun pointed at her, and especially at Chuck, made the look she was currently flashing in Laura's direction one of pure hatred. As they sat on the bed her hand instinctively found Chuck's. She quickly squeezed it in a show of reassurance.

"Okay, Laura," Sarah said harshly. "You're holding the gun. What do you want to talk about?"

Suddenly Laura's face softened noticeably. "I'm honestly sorry about the gun," she said softly. "I'm not here as an enemy. I just didn't want you to shoot first and ask questions later. I need a chance to talk to you."

"From where I'm standing," Sarah said with no hint of humor. "The gun pointing at us tells me you are an enemy."

"Fair enough," Laura said. "You're right. From where you're standing there is no other conclusion you could come to." She took her gun by the barrel, extended her arm and handed it to Sarah. "Is that better?"

Sarah's sigh of relief was very plain as she stood and retrieved her own gun from the table where Chuck had placed it then sat back down next to him. "Much," she said. "So, Laura, how did you know that I was here?"

"I followed you back from your visit with Seth," Laura said with the beginnings of a smile. "You're slipping. You were really easy to track. All I had to do was follow the tongues hanging out of the guys mouths. That red dress really looks good on you. Do you remember when I talked you into buying it?"

Sarah did remember, very well actually. It was a fun afternoon. She and Laura used to go shopping a lot. It was one of their favorite things. But she also wasn't ready to sit there and pretend to have a fun time talking about old times. So she ignored the question. "Okay, Laura, why are you here?" she asked.

"I need your help," Laura said sadly.

"You need my help?" Sarah asked incredulously. "The last time I saw you, your legs were wrapped around my husband. You were groaning for him to fuck you harder so loudly that you didn't even notice I was standing there for a long time. That doesn't put you at the top of my 'people who I want to help' list."

Laura paused for a long moment. "I know," she finally said with a sigh. "And for what it's worth, I feel horrible about that. I do. I'm not making any excuses. It wasn't a smart thing. But I tried to warn you about Seth. You would never listen. I know that I'm not your favorite person right now. I wouldn't even be here for me. I'm worried about Seth."

"Why are you worried about Seth?" Sarah asked cautiously.

Laura allowed her shoulders to slump helplessly. "Come on, Sarah," she sighed. "Be honest with me. You're not really interested in getting back together with Seth. Why are you really here?"

If Laura was fishing, she sure wasn't going to get any bites. "I don't know what you mean," Sarah said calmly.

Laura really didn't expect that to work. It was worth a try. "Okay, Sarah," she said after taking a deep breath. "Fair enough, I'll go first. You're going to arrest Seth or worse for being with Fulcrum, aren't you?"

Sarah was no longer sure if Laura was fishing or not. But it didn't make sense to volunteer anything. "Is Seth with Fulcrum?" she asked casually.

Laura knew that tears wouldn't help in this situation. In fact they would just make Sarah believe she was playing her. So she blinked them away. "Please, Sarah," she said. "I understand that me being involved in this is outside of protocol. It's even inappropriate. But I'm asking for a favor. I need to find some way to save him."

Sarah was still not convinced that she wasn't playing some angle. "Laura," she said skeptically. "I want you to look me in the eye. Are you with Fulcrum?"

To her credit, Laura looked directly into Sarah's eyes. "Of course not," she said firmly. "Look, I knew that Seth was talking to them and I looked the other way. That would be pointless to try and deny. I should have reported it… and I didn't. Okay, that was stupid. I'll have to accept whatever punishment I get for that. But I've never had anything to do with Fulcrum. I never would. I've purposefully not asked any questions. I hate those ruthless bastards. I'm as loyal to the country as anyone. That's when I realized that something wasn't right. Sarah, there is no way you would ever defect to Fulcrum. That's when I knew."

Sarah looked at Chuck expectantly. Recognizing the question she was asking, Chuck leaned over and whispered in Sarah's ear.

"She's telling the truth."

x-x-x-x-x

Peter West sat behind his desk deep in thought. It was quite late for him to be in the office but he had problems of his own. That was the problem with being the head of the Las Vegas Fulcrum Division. Normally it was a very plum assignment. But the big shots loved to schedule meetings there as an excuse to party. And every time a big shot came into town, they expected to get laid. And this time, it wasn't just one big shot. It was six. All of the Fulcrum Elders were going to be meeting to talk about global strategy. And they expected a party.

Peter's phone began to ring. He let it ring a few times before he remembered that his secretary had gone home for the night.

"West," he answered briskly.

"Yes, sir," Seth said. "This is Roberts. I'm sorry to call so late sir. I just wanted to confirm that Sarah Anderson will be coming to meet with you tomorrow at ten."

"Refresh my memory," Peter said softly. "Is this the girl whose picture you showed me the other day?"

"Yes, sir," Seth said. "She's pretty, isn't she?"

"She's stunning." Peter said with a smile. "And am I to understand that she is eager to prove herself?"

Seth thought about how much to tell him. After all Sarah sounded pretty desperate. If he told this guy that, it would make her pretty defenseless negotiating with him. And beautiful defenseless woman ended up naked on their backs with their legs in the air. But it would also earn him some much needed points with his boss. "Yes, sir," he finally said. "The honest truth is that she's pretty desperate. Her career with the CIA is in the toilet. She's currently babysitting a diplomat's kid. I honestly think you could ask her to do almost anything. To get out of her current situation, she'd smile and do it. She even wanted me to tell you that she is willing to do anything to make a good first impression. It might be fun to call her on that."

"Excellent," said Peter as he ended the call. "I'll talk to you tomorrow after our meeting. Nice work."

Peter smiled as he leaned back in his chair. This might work out well, after all. One of Fulcrum's weaknesses was in the seduction area. Women agents didn't seem nearly as eager to defect as men. This Sarah Anderson must not be too much of an agent. She was far too pretty for that. And babysitting a diplomat's kid? She seriously must be dumb as a box of rocks. But she could fill a couple of needs. She could be an asset ongoing. Certainly she could fuck an Elder or two no matter how stupid she is. That would be a big help. And last but not by any stretch least, he could have a wild night testing her resolve. Yup, that might work out.

And if it doesn't, I can always find work as a pimp.

x-x-x-x-x

Laura looked at the couple sitting on the bed across from her holding hands. There was clearly more there between those two than just the current guy Sarah was fucking. Maybe she should try and find out. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Laura said softly. Without waiting for a response, Laura turned the smile she reserved for flirting with unknown men towards Chuck and stuck out her hand. "Laura Carter," she said cheerily.

If Laura expected the smile to have its usual effect, she was disappointed. "I know who you are," Chuck said coldly as he barely touched her hand.

"This is Chuck," Sarah said quickly. "I think that will do for right now anyway."

"Well, Chuck," Laura said softly. "Something tells me that you've heard the story of Sarah, Seth, and me."

"I have," Chuck said firmly as his eyes narrowed. "And I have to say, Laura, that it disgusts me. Men cheat on their wives, it's scummy, but it happens. But to betray your best friend like that… I really can't think of much worse."

"I know, Chuck," Laura said sadly as the smile quickly faded. "Actually, I agree with you. It was the scummiest thing I have ever done. I'm ashamed of myself."

Chuck's response was quick. "So why did you do it?" he demanded, making no effort to keep the anger from his voice as he put his arm around Sarah's waist. "This is the nicest, most amazing, most loyal person in the whole world. She is the last person that should be betrayed like that. I would do anything to keep her from being hurt. From where I'm sitting that makes you pretty much a piece of shit as a person. And I'll be damned if I'm going to sit here and not tell you what a scumbag that I think you are."

Laura was stunned for a moment. People, men especially, never talked to her that way. So she turned to Sarah. "Wow," she said as a sad smile crept onto her face. "You might have found a keeper, huh?"

Chuck's response got a silly grin from Sarah in spite of the tense situation. She just couldn't help it. There was no sense in trying to deny it even if she wanted to. Laura had already figured it out just by looking at them. Besides, Sarah was honestly eager to brag about what she'd found to everybody, even Laura Carter. "I have," she said as she gently put her head on Chuck's shoulder and put her arm around him. "I'm very lucky."

Laura studied the look on Sarah's face. She had missed her best friend desperately many times over the past five years, but never more than right now. There was something totally different about her. She looked actually happy, content. Laura ached to share whatever was new in her life to account for that dramatic of a change, to hear about this new guy she was clearly lovesick over. But she also knew that there was only one person to blame for that ache. "I'm glad," she finally said sadly. "For what it's worth, I'm glad."

Laura took a moment to gather her emotions before she turned back to Chuck. She may have been looking at Chuck, but she was most definitely speaking to Sarah. "You're absolutely right," she said. "She is very special. I lost the best friend I've ever had that day. I can't tell you how much that I've missed her. I would give almost anything to be able to go back and handle that differently. This is not an excuse, but most spies wouldn't have minded what happened. At the time I didn't think of it as betraying her. It might even have turned into an opportunity to laugh and compare some notes. But I should have realized that Sarah isn't most spies. I allowed my own desires to talk myself into thinking she would be okay. I wasn't a very good friend that day."

The last thing that Sarah wanted at this point was to get emotional. Sure, she missed Laura, truth be told, probably more than Laura missed her. And she sounded genuinely sorry. But this wasn't the time or place for a tearful reunion… if that was ever even going to be possible. "So," Sarah said with a sigh. "Let's get down to brass tacks. Why should I help Seth Roberts?"

Laura was trying her best to keep this as light as possible. "I guess being married to him isn't going to mean much in this discussion," she said hopefully but with a resigned smile.

No sale. "Absolutely nothing," Sarah said firmly. "We're not married. I've just been too lazy to file the paperwork. He is a traitor. He deserves whatever happens."

Laura took a deep breath. "Seth isn't a traitor, Sarah," she said softly. "Come on, you know that. You know Seth. He's just lazy and stupid. He's not ideological at all. He saw a chance to be a bigger player and he took it."

Sarah wasn't giving an inch. "That was pretty stupid," she said skeptically.

"Granted," Laura said. "Yes, it was stupid. That much is obvious. He didn't think it through. But, Sarah, it wasn't evil. I know what it looks like but he's not."

"I don't know," Sarah said softly.

"Sarah, please," Laura said. "I know that we're not friends right now. I even understand that you probably hate me. But please help me. I'm desperate. I'll do anything."

"Tell me why," Sarah said curiously. "Why are you risking so much to help him?"

"I love him," Laura answered quickly as she tried mightily to blink back the tears. "I just realized that a couple of days ago. I know how stupid that sounds to you but I do. I love him. I can't help it. I can't stand by and watch him get killed. You probably don't understand that."

Sarah squeezed Chuck's hand as hard she could without risking doing any damage and looked at her ex-friend. "Actually," she said with a sigh. "You're wrong."

"That's the one thing that I understand totally."

x-x-x-x-x

General Beckman openly yawned as she tried to rub the sleep out of her eyes. "Agent Walker," she said as her picture appeared on the laptop. "Do you realize that it is three in the morning? This had better be good."

"I'm very sorry to wake you, ma'am," Sarah said briskly. "But we have a situation. First, I want to make sure that you're aware that this connection is not secure."

"Why not?" Beckman asked.

"I have Laura Carter here with us, ma'am," Sarah said. "She has approached me about possibly helping Seth Roberts defect away from Fulcrum."

If Beckman was at all surprised, she didn't show it. "Agent Carter?" she said briskly. "I thought you were supposed to be in Miami."

"Yes, ma'am," Laura responded. "My mark will be out of the country for two weeks."

"Tell me why I should believe a single word that you say?" Beckman asked harshly. "I should have Agent Walker slap the cuffs on you and lock you up faster than I can salute. How can you prove to me that you're not Fulcrum?"

"Yes, ma'am," Laura began. "I understand that you're angry. I'll not deny that I've withheld reporting some very important facts for personal reasons. That was unacceptable. I have no excuse. Whatever punishment comes my way, up to and including wearing Agent Walker's cuffs, I have no complaint. How can I prove that I'm not Fulcrum? I don't know how to prove a negative." Laura took a deep breath. Getting angry wouldn't help this situation. But questioning her loyalty was a hot button thing for her, most agents really. She had dedicated her life to serving the greater good, had been asked to do ridiculously dangerous and disgusting things. "Ma'am," she continued. "All I can say is that I'm a lot of things but traitor is not one of them. You can question my judgment. I've made some decisions that are downright stupid. But you can't question my loyalty. I swear that I'm as loyal as Agent Walker here. I just need your help to save the man that I love."

"Ma'am," Sarah said softly. "The information we have on site seems to indicate that Agent Carter is indeed loyal."

Now Beckman was surprised. The information on site? That had to mean the Intersect. She hadn't expected Walker to stand up for Laura Carter. Chuck? Maybe, but not Walker. That actually made a difference. It basically changed her mind. "Okay," she said, much more to Sarah than anyone, her voice turning softer as her eyes widened. "This love stuff is getting to be a regular pain in the ass, isn't it?" Then she directed her attention back to the current situation. "Agent Carter, what is it that you want me to do?"

Before Laura could answer, there was a knock at the door. Chuck went to the door and looked through the peep hole. When he saw that it was Casey, Chuck let him in.

Casey immediately saw Laura standing there and Beckman on the screen. He really didn't know what was going on, but it clearly was serious. "I'm sorry that I'm late, ma'am," he said firmly. "I got here as fast as I could."

"Agent Carter," Beckman said cautiously. "Forget my question. I don't really care. This is what I'm willing to do. Agent Casey will take you and Agent Roberts into custody. You will be housed in the local FBI office. If Agent Walker needs any assistance from either of you during her mission tomorrow, you will immediately provide it. If I'm satisfied that you have cooperated and Agent Walker's mission is successful, then I'll remove the sanction against Agent Roberts. At that time we'll discuss terms of his release. But his career as an agent is over. Is that acceptable to you?"

"Yes, ma'am," Laura said with a relieved smile. "Thank you, ma'am."

As soon as the screen went blank, Sarah cleared her throat. "Laura," she said softly as she looked at the floor. "There is something that you need to hear. You saw how I was dressed when I went to see Seth."

Laura nodded with a sad smile. "The expensive hooker look," she said. "I picked out the dress, remember?"

"Well," Sarah continued. "When I was there this afternoon, I threw everything that I had at him and he didn't budge."

"Thanks, Sarah," Laura said with a smile. "That means a lot to me."

"No problem," Sarah whispered.

Laura was fairly giddy. She turned to where Casey was standing. "Agent Casey," she said with a sheepish grin. "Something tells me that I've been played. You've never been with Sarah, not once, have you?"

"I'm afraid not," Casey said with his own grin and a wink towards Chuck. "I'm sure I would remember."

"So our little encounter this afternoon was all for show," Laura said as she burst out into a laugh.

"Well," said Casey thoughtfully with a grin. "You can blame Chuck here. It was his idea. For what it's worth, I've never enjoyed an assignment more."

"Damn it," Laura snapped in mock disgust. "I knew that you weren't her type." Then she turned back to Casey. "Actually the honest truth is that I enjoyed it too, maybe not 'best fuck ever' territory but certainly in the top five. Hopefully we'll get a chance to try it again sometime soon. Perhaps we can find a way to improve."

Casey stopped the smart ass remark from Chuck with a look. This Laura Carter was the entire package, the most amazing woman he had ever met. And now that she wasn't a Fulcrum traitor, trying to crack the top three might be a little fun.

"I'm always looking for ways to improve."

x-x-x-x-x

"Okay," Casey said as he and Laura rode up the elevator. "This is how this is going to work. Out of professional courtesy I'll stay in the hall out of sight while you go in and talk Roberts into surrendering. I'll give you five minutes. Let me in and I'll take him into custody. Just so we understand each other, he's caused my team a fair amount of grief in the past few days. Any funny business and I will gladly shoot him."

"I understand," Laura sighed. "There won't be any trouble. I promise." As soon as she turned and knocked on the door, Seth opened it.

"Baby," Laura cried as she pushed into the room and threw her arms around Seth. "I've missed you so much." That part was actually genuine. She had missed him horribly. She immediately pressed her mouth to Seth's and they shared a very passionate kiss.

"Wow, baby," Seth said as soon as the kiss broke. "That was quite a hello."

"Seth," Laura said sadly. "Come over and sit down. I need to talk to you."

"Can't we talk later?" Seth said as he began to unbutton Laura's blouse.

"I'm afraid not," Laura said firmly as she pushed Seth away. "I have some bad news. I just talked to Sarah Walker. You were wrong about her. She was playing you. She was not looking to get back together. She was looking to make herself a widow."

"A widow?" Seth asked in confusion. "How would she do that?"

Laura shook her head sadly. "How does one make herself a widow?" she asked sarcastically. "By putting a bullet between her husband's eyes, dumb ass. They know that you are Fulcrum. They are going to execute you."

"They know," Seth said in a panic. "I didn't think anyone would even care. I mean, who cares about me? I'm nobody. What am I going to do? I'll have to run."

"Relax," Laura said. "I've got it all worked out. I talked to General Beckman."

"Beckman," Seth said. "Head of the NSA, Beckman? She's a hard ass."

"She's a very hard ass," Laura said. "It was a tough sell but I got her to agree. If we help Sarah bust your Fulcrum boss, they are going to let you go."

"Really," Seth said. "Why would she do that?"

"I talked Sarah into speaking for you," Laura said softly. "She has a lot of pull with Beckman. Her partner is in the hall right now waiting for us to go downtown."

"But why," Seth said softly. "Why are you and Sarah doing this for me?"

"Sarah is doing it because I begged her," Laura said with a smile. "Maybe there is some hope for us yet."

"I'm doing it because I love you."

x-x-x-x-x

As soon as Laura and Casey left, Sarah launched herself into Chuck, basically pinning him to the bed, and started kissing him tenderly. Well, it started off tenderly. Pretty soon their tongues were dancing pretty good. "I'm so very proud of you," Sarah said as soon as she came up for air.

"Why?" Chuck asked in surprise.

Sarah fought against the tears filling her eyes. "I know that I don't have to be ashamed of crying in front of you," she said. "But I don't want to start bawling in front of you twice in the same day. You're going to think I'm a sissy."

"Well," Chuck said in faux seriousness. "You are supposed to be acting all girly today."

That broke the emotion in the room and they both started laughing.

"You stuck up for me with Laura," Sarah said. "I've had some partners who had my back physically before but you're the first person who has ever had my back emotionally. Thank you. I can't possibly describe to you how life changing that feels."

"You're so welcome," Chuck said as he kissed Sarah again. "Are you actually surprised in any way? I meant every word. I have never met a person who deserves to be hurt less than you do."

"Thanks," Sarah said with her eyes shinning. "I love you."

"I love you too," Chuck said softly. "And I'm proud of you too."

Sarah's eyes told him to continue.

"It's just so easy to hate," Chuck said softly. "I'm proud of you that could overlook the horrible way that you were treated and still do the right thing."

"It is the right thing," Sarah asked. "Isn't it?"

"Yes," Chuck said as he kissed Sarah again this time more urgently. "Yes, it is." Then he gave her his classic grin. "Not to be indelicate," he said playfully. "But we did come up here for a reason. Something about a payoff?"

"I see," Sarah said with her own grin. She got up from the bed and began to unbutton her blouse as she swayed to some imaginary music. "Yes, sir, I believe you are now owed ten very, very good times."

As soon as Sarah was down to her panties, she stepped over to where Chuck was sitting on the bed and unbuckled his belt. "I don't believe pants are in order," she said as she slowly peeled them off. "Do you?"

"I don't know," Chuck said with a grin. "I'm not used to being in charge. What would you suggest?"

"No pants," Sarah said, clearly teasing him as she tossed them unceremoniously into the corner. "You think that you were my rock earlier."

"You ain't seen nothing yet."

x-x-x-x-x