A/N: Back for more, this chapter is a complete overhaul of Nemesis, okay maybe not completely but I don't call it the Nemesis paradox. Or maybe I could have… anyway, it will become clear with this chapter that I am creating two ways for this story to unfold. Not sure which road I will follow yet, but both have potential.

Please note that some of the material in this chapter discusses the rather sensitive topic of physical and sexual abuse. It is purely fictional, with non-descriptive details, and not written to suggest that what is discussed actually happens in a real-life situation.

Reviews are always appreciated😊

Now Chapter 7…don't own Chuck.

Chuck Versus the Real Undercover Relationship

Chapter 7: Return of the Super Spy

Sarah wasted no time informing Chuck of Bryce's resurrection and it sent both agencies into an uproar. Chuck was not sure how to react even as he watched his college roommate endure a light coma after being transferred to Westside Medical. Bryce was muttering for Chuck in his sleep.

Chuck was frantic and pitchy. "Figures Bryce cheats death, he is too stubborn to die. Still, a shot right through the heart is oblivion…or its supposed to be, so what gives?"

Sarah shrugged, " early signs show the damage to his heart was completely repaired, there is not even any scaring from the bullet wound which means it was repaired immediately after he was shot."

Chuck thought casually, "what If Fulcrum thought he uploaded the intersect?"

Sarah nodded pitying her former partner, "Saving his life just to preserve a relatively new technology, it's obvious that they know he does not have it and dropped him back in the field of play to snuff out the real host."

Chuck sighed through a chuckle, "I guess that's me."

Casey sighed with enjoyment. "Golden boy is waking up, get in there."

Sarah held Chuck's arm lightly, "keep him answering questions we need to build information."

Chuck nodded, "don't worry, I have plenty of my own questions."

Bryce reacted immediately when his cell door opened, "I figured you would be pulled in to the chaos."

Chuck sighed, "chaos seems to be your specialty, Bryce. Only you would be foolish enough to think you could escape from the DNI all by yourself, Deadshot always shows up at the end."

Bryce sighed, "Casey could learn to be more off the radar like Deadshot when he hits his target. Besides, I was trying to stop a Fulcrum."

Casey scoffed behind the one-way mirror, "Hypocrite, this coming from a guy that destroyed the Intersect white room with a huge explosion."

Chuck smiled with veiled sarcasm to the end of Bryce's comment, "by sending a collection of government data to me?"

Bryce sighed, "The data falling into enemy hands would be a cataclysmic disaster, I wanted to funnel it out of the U.S government so the right people had time to track it down again in a civilian host. You were the only one that is capable of processing the data."

Chuck sat next to his friends' bed with exasperation, "you never did plan ahead, but Beckman and Graham do."

Bryce raised his head expectantly, "Sarah and Casey?"

Chuck nodded, "yeah, at least they fixed the mess you created, how did you get wind of fulcrum anyway?"

Bryce sighed again, "Direct recruitment…if it weren't for overhearing a conversation about one of their targets I would be on the wrong side."

Chuck's face narrowed, "who was it?"

Bryce was blunt, "the only other person I trust in the spy world besides Sarah, Orion…"

The door burst open moments later, Sarah was blunt. "Orion is an AWOL computer engineer, why would fulcrum be after someone shrouded in so much uncertainty?"

Bryce was blunt, "the Intersect came from him, I thought they would take him hostage to build them one." Bryce looked expectantly at Chuck, "You look different, I did not really expect this situation to agree with you."

Chuck chuckled sharply, "Did you think I would just play along?"

Bryce noticed the rings on Chuck and Sarah's fingers, he smiled as he looked at her, "I guess I don't have to ask if you took issue with protecting him, but you should not trick him into thinking you can stay with him forever."

Sarah eyed him darkly "Actually Bryce, Chuck convinced me, and he has learned to protect himself."

Bryce did a double take between them, "So you are actually married?"

Sarah sighed, "Yes, "now… how the hell are you alive?"

Bryce shrugged, "Fulcrum thinks the Intersect is in me, or they did…I may have sent the Intersect to you, but I still planned on being your decoy. Casey screwed that up, they know it is not in me, so things might get messy Fulcrum could be skulking around Burbank."

Casey burst in now, "Asking questions is not my job, I was given shoot on sight orders, but you look fine now, a little pale if anything."

Sarah nodded with a still blunt expression, "They dropped you back in our lap, why?"

Bryce shrugged, "Smoke out the real host."

Chuck's face turned ill. "Great, so I could get swarmed by a rogue organization soon."

Sarah spoke consolingly, "That is why I am here."

Chuck sighed with a passive smile, "I know, now…duty calls."

Bryce guessed, "Still the Buy More?" Chuck nodded.

Casey finally turned to Sarah, "Do you think they are aware of us?"

Bryce nodded, "I would watch the Buy More closely, I need to disclose the Sandwall report to Beckman and Graham, that's the mission to steal the Intersect for Fulcrum, only I sent it to Chuck to keep it safe."

Chuck responded with hollow sarcasm, "thanks for thinking of me."

Casey cut in quietly, "Tommy is here in the building."

Bryce was suddenly more alert, "now for the unpleasant part…"

Bryce reacted so fast it caught everyone off guard. Before they knew it, he was using Chuck as a shield to flee the room. His voice was sharp, "Look just play along, can't have him connecting the dots too easily."

Sarah was blunt, "Don't make me shoot you, Bryce…"

Bryce was now in the elevator, "Back off, I need to leave.

Sarah's anger rose, "You can find another way besides talking my husband hostage!"

Bryce smiled, "I knew you would find him. The marriage was more of a surprise, but it looks like you've changed since we were together. He will be alright just give me the elevator code."

Chuck shifted uncomfortably, "I'll be okay, though Bryce I wish you'd have remembered I'm afraid of needles.

Sarah lowered her gun, "68452…"

Bryce nodded, "I will knock him out, odds are Tommy will look to infiltrate the Buy More because he knows our college ties and will see Chuck flash being able to recognize the physical tic. You will need to be ready."

Sarah's tone remained the same, "Take matters into your own hands again I will make sure it ends badly for you."Bryce nodded.

Chuck was extremely irritated once they were alone, "I still don't see why you picked my life to ruin just because I can crunch a lot of data."

Bryce looked apologetic, "I needed the Intersect in your head because you always do the right thing and you were the only one who could handle the upload, plus I needed a friend someone who wasn't a spy and didn't know anything about the Intersect, or Fulcrum, or Sandwall."

Chuck crossed his arms seriously, "Why did you drag me into this If you didn't think I could survive as a field agent?"

Bryce sighed, "you know the truth about Stanford, I gave you the Intersect because you are a better person than any spy…"

The elevator slowed down, and Tommy entered just as Bryce grabbed Chuck again. Tommy sounded falsely concerned, "Bryce, wouldn't want you to hurt an innocent person I would feel just horrible."

Bryce was curt, "Tell your people I'm gone."

Tommy was anticipatory, "Oh you're going to run, good."

Tommy backed away and the elevator doors closed again. Bryce made to sedate Chuck. He caught his arm well before the needle reached his neck. Chuck's expression was blunt, "I don't think so."

Bryce looked surprised, "I need to leave."

Chuck shook his head with a stern expression, "Not at my expense, I can't believe you actually thought I would let you disappear again."

Bryce was blunt, "I wasn't giving you a choice."

Chuck grinned dangerously. "Funny you should say that." Bryce was caught off guard as he tried in vain to sedate Chuck who applied substantially increased pressure to Bryce's needle arm until it was turned onto Bryce's neck.

Bryce was now mildly surprised by the sudden turn of events, "Looks like someone's been eating their Wheaties."

Chuck was caught between annoyance and satisfaction. "Bartowski over Larkin, sorry buddy you're not going anywhere."

Bryce smiled, "You may work at the Buy More, but you're different Chuck, let's see how much."

Bryce broke Chuck's grip by stomping on his foot. The sedative fell to the floor. They set to spar, Bryce rushed Chuck with several punches in a row. With a defensive stance, he absorbed them all. On the second exchange, they both threw a stalemate of punches…Chuck knew getting into a fist fight was a bad idea. Chuck originally thought it was dumb to start carrying his tranq gun in his pants, luckily…drawing a gun caught Bryce completely by surprise.

After Chuck sedated Bryce with a successful shot his expression changed. "Bartowski over Larkin again; twice in a few minutes, your slipping Bryce. Sleep it off."

When the elevator stopped again Sarah was pleased with the scene, "I see you got past the small talk?"

Chuck nodded indifferently, "Tommy is here we need to get ready, the Buy More could be under siege before long."

Sarah looked uncomfortable, "What makes you sure?"

Chuck sighed, "It's a hunch."

II

It was later in the day before Bryce was declared in good health and discharged from Westside Medical. Nobody stuck around for that though, with Bryce's condition verified Beckman and Graham were briefed on the current situation, leaving them both irritated.

Graham had his hands folded on his desk, "We will set up a pass within the Buy More and hopefully neutralize Fulcrum's current threat."

Beckman continued with much more confidence than her agency counterpart, "Since they don't know the true identity of the Intersect host this is the perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone."

Chuck sighed, "is it too much to ask that you remember I'm in the line of fire here? They are circling me like sharks in the water."

Beckman was blunt, "if, your wife—she said with this a certain level of something likecontempt—does what she insisted then you should be able to circle them in your own right."

Chuck suppressed the urge to laugh at the irony of this given his alter ego. He responded with courtesy. "Yes, general. I have been thinking that Fulcrum's actions seem procedural, part of a larger plan."

Beckman gauged Chuck carefully, "What evidence do you have?"

Chuck sighed, "I've been diving underwater quite a bit lately, the piranha is my alias…in cyber circles anyway."

Graham looked dazed, "You're the one that hacked the CIA servers and infiltrated our archive databases recently?"

Chuck was blunt, "You shouldn't be surprised, you tried recruiting me for the Omaha Project four years ago." Graham was flustered with these words. He had gone pale.

Beckman did not know whether to be impressed or angry. Her eyebrows suggested more of the former than the latter. "Why would you be hacking when we have not located any useful records on Fulcrum in our systems?"

Chuck stood rather passive but spoke bluntly, "I'm not just some wannabe hacker, the hacking collective Anonymous tried to recruit me out of high school." Everyone looked surprised now, Chuck continued without much notice… "I declined, they are a little too rogue and hacking for personal gain is not my style."

Graham had a begrudging look, "yet you have no trouble committing a felony. It is illegal to hack a government entity."

Chuck shrugged this off with an incredulous stare, "And taking someone into government custody indefinitely when they have done nothing to justify it is a human rights violation, but that's where we are, and I am cooperating so let's not start pulling at some moral or legal thread."

Casey was torn between shock and admiration. When did this kid grow a pair? Was it the training or did he discover his own secrets…?

Chuck continued as if bursting a bubble, "you're lucky it was me, your cybersecurity is a joke…"

A vein in Graham's forehead pulsed. He responded sharply. "Is it?"

Chuck nodded tickling deficiencies off one hand. "Unsophisticated encryption; log on without two-step authentication, the server you are running is outdated and for reasons I don't understand at all you're using security software created by a foreign government. I'm sure you agree that Russia is the least trustworthy of all our allies so why use Kaspersky, that's like inviting them through your front door. "

Beckman seemed to gauge the last of Chuck's observations with merit, she responded bluntly. "Point taken, do you have any suggestions?"

Graham looked sideways at Beckmann. "Now we're taking his advice?"

Beckmann shot Graham a critical stare, "You tapped him for the Omaha Project, quite a detail to leave out Graham."

Graham responded to Beckmann, but his eyes were surveying Chuck, his mood was unreadable now. He spoke with relative calm. "He blew past the other candidates we screened for the project, a 98%. Fleming said he was shocked that anyone's brain could so closely match a computer, but the results were tainted…isn't that right Chuck."

A voice cut into the room, "yeah about that, I framed Chuck, the results were legitimate. I was trying to keep him out of this, so I'm equally sorry I dragged you into it."

Chuck turned to see Bryce as he entered Casey's apartment, he definitely looked sorry. Chuck shrugged his shoulders with a passive response. "I'm sorry I had to knock you out, water under a very wet bridge."

Bryce spoke a word in a familiar shared language, "jup?"

Chuck nodded casually, "jup!"

Graham shook his head, "what is happening here…"

Beckmann resumed her earlier question, "well Chuck?"

Chuck smiled like they were having a casual conversation. "I can make some software, it will take a few days."

Beckmann nodded, "You are more than meets the eye, Chuck. I'm not about to gripe over your alias when we all lead some form of a double life. However, I will not tolerate withholding information going forward is that clear?"

Chuck nodded, "yes general…"

Beckmann turned to Graham with an offended look, "don't withhold pertinent information from me again Graham, the Omaha project was a joint military operation."

Graham nodded before moving on, "If Fulcrum is planning long term we should assume they are still looking to recruit a double agent. They are probably smart enough to know Bryce was never with them."

Bryce nodded, "is that why you're sending me underground to go after them directly?"

Beckmann nodded, "yes, so be ready to dispatch tomorrow evening once you have gathered your report. We have a plan to take you back to Langley and go from there." Bryce nodded again.

Beckmann addressed the others now, "Meanwhile this operation will remain in place. Graham, I ask you to destroy Bryce Larkin's agency records as far as the world is concerned he is no less dead.

Graham nodded, "I will take my leave then." They heard a door close off-screen.

Beckmann addressed Bryce again, you are dismissed Bryce, I wish to speak privately with these three." He nodded and left.

Beckmann stared at them all calculatingly, "First, you two, don't think I don't realize that you are together, Graham is too preoccupied to realize it, but I am not. It does not seem to affect either of you where this operation is concerned so I will step in only if you make it necessary." Chuck and Sarah nodded.

Beckmann looked at Sarah, "agent Walker I get the sense you have personal issues with Fulcrum and to an extent the government other than your father's arrest, am I correct?" Sarah's confirmation was a stiff nod.

Beckmann folded her hands, "What is the nature of this dissatisfaction?"

Sarah was unreadable, "I'm sorry I must keep that information to myself, I can't take a chance on it spreading within government walls. The most I can say is it begins and ends with a Fulcrum member and my prior mission. Don't bother searching for details either, Chuck made sure to bury them."

Beckmann surveyed Chuck again, "it was irritating that he was watching those who watched everyone else. Beckmann knew someone else like that 30 years ago, he refused to disclose his real name, not even on his application, instead, it was just Orion. MIA for decades now, she could see similarities between them. Back then Orion's affinity for technology was met with a grain of salt. It would be a bad idea to not take Chuck's talents seriously, given the current situation. Beckmann had to admit she was feeling a strange sense of deja-vu. Sarah was Frost all over again. Orion and Frost the best of those who decided not to stick around, she wondered what became of them.

Beckmann spoke bluntly, "I hope you realize the government does not typically give people this much leeway.

Chuck felt like he was playing poker now, "I hope you know my tech skills are better than all your analysts combined."

Beckmann sighed in acknowledgment, "considering you made that trace signature appear to come from five different places on the other side of the world, I cannot disagree. We will see about an official position as field analyst."

Chuck was taken aback, "really?"

Beckmann nodded, "Fulcrum moves within our walls, we need someone smart enough to root them out."

Chuck sighed, "I'm not flying to Langley, I have to operate from Burbank remotely."

Beckmann nodded, "it would be foolish to relocate you when the enemy moves from within Langley itself, we will take steps to outfit a space for you in the new base of operations which is about a month from completion. You are all dismissed, we will brief a few hours before tomorrow's operation. Excuse me…"

Casey chuckled, "look who just became the star of the show. You're an enigma Bartowski."

III

The morale of the Buy More staff was low on average, but Harry Tang's reappearance brought things down to a new low with employees on the floor, both green shirts, and Nerd Herd. Even Casey, who typically cared less about daily happenings within the Buy More thought he had a power-driven mentality that was detrimental to everyone else. Morgan was in stealth mode regularly.

Morgan seemed distressed that Chuck was not stressed about Tang's return. He poked his head above the Nerd Herd desk in a whisper, "I can't believe he just came back after two weeks, how are you so relaxed Chuck?"

Chuck shrugged, "I have more to worry about than Harry Tang buddy. Besides hiding only gives him a reason to target you."

Morgan skittishly scanned his general area before answering, "Dude, you are like six and a half inches tall, and married a blond Valkyrie that could make Harry wet himself."

Chuck smiled in a matter of fact way. "What is your point?"

Morgan whispered loudly now, "you can afford to live dangerously."

Chuck responded with something between a laugh and a scoff. "Buddy using my life as a benchmark for any situation is the last thing you should do believe me. I am punching out early to deal with some stuff."

Morgan inquired in a desperate way, "is it the kind of thing where I can tag along?"

Chuck thought for a moment and responded with levity, "Something that only happens in TV and movies that are science fiction, it is personal."

IV

Chuck decided to table all spy issues until after Thanksgiving dinner. Morgan was bringing his appetite and Anna who he had somehow landed as a girlfriend but was taking his fixation with Ellie a little too seriously.

Ellie looked at Chuck with a disoriented stare, "She does realize that I have a boyfriend, right?"

Chuck laughed, "The problem is Morgan worships you."

Ellie screwed up her face, "Don't remind me."

It was unusual to have extra people around the table. Chuck invited Casey mostly because he did not want him seeking Bryce out, their prior meeting said that would not end well. Sarah felt, out of place, not because these people were strangers but because the situation was foreign to her. Morgan's gripe about lack of marshmallows on his favorite number to side dish sent Chuck to get them.

Bryce was stalkerish in his approach, "Chuck…"

Chuck had a knee-jerk reaction, "Buddy you really need to work on the entrances."

Bryce ignored this, "You should be careful with the Piranha. Graham does not like anyone accessing information without permission and Fulcrum has their own analysts and you don't want them finding out about your life and the people in it."

Chuck crossed his arms, "I don't tell you how to be a spy, my cyber reputation is well earned. I have actually been thinking of changing my alias to something more professional, "The Kernel, has a much better feel to it."

Bryce raised his eyebrows, "You're using a military rank?"

Chuck shook his head, he corrected Bryce with a chuckle, "Not much for words with more than one meaning, are you? The Kernel is the heart of any OS. The link between the hardware and the GUI itself tell me you haven't forgotten computer 101?"

Bryce chuckled back. "give me some credit, I did help you program Zork on that TRS-80 in our freshmen year."

Chuck smiled, "Enjoy your Thanksgiving Bryce, see you soon."

V

That evening Chuck and Sarah were in her room, coming down off a full stomach of Thanksgiving food. It felt odd to feel so complacent even though things surrounding operation Bartowski were noticeably tenser than usual.

Sarah collapsed with Chuck casually on her bed wearing a tight smile, "That kind of family meal is something I could get used to…"

Chuck smiled as they touched foreheads, "You look beautiful." Sarah was wearing a formal red dress with a black waist belt, she could make anything look good.

Sarah's smile widened. "Chuck the way you look at me, I've never had anyone who appreciates my outward appearance like you do, looking at me from top to bottom like you think I'm extra special. I've never felt that until now, to the CIA and most men, the way I look is a means to an end." Sarah felt tears slide as she continued, "I was assaulted numerous times during my CIA recruitment, both physically and sexually. They don't do it to everyone only those of us whose appearance they can exploit. A twisted form of hardening female agents."

Chuck raised his head with a somber expression, "That is crazy." He cupped her cheek kindly.

Sarah nodded sadly, "Carina's temperament is the goal, to produce women numb to intimacy and sex who are good at seducing any male marks. It's the reason I learned how to master using bladed weapons, though my father taught me how to throw them. Eventually, I was formattable enough that the training officers knew to back off and I tried to help other female agents fight back. It had quelled by the time I completed training but I'm sure it is still happening on some level. They are careful about it, so Graham does not catch wind of it. You were the first person in a long time to make me feel human again." She kissed him with passion. "With you, I'm home and it is the only place I want to be."

Chuck grinned childishly, "I love you Sarah Walker, Bartowski."

Sarah smiled broadly, "That grin of yours is my kryptonite!"

Sarah sat up momentarily and undid the buckle on her dress throwing it aside and letting the dress fall casually off her shoulders. She laid back on the bed as Chuck removed her dress, revealing blue lingerie underneath.

He surveyed her body from a new perspective and sighed somberly as he stroked her hair, "hardening through abuse is so ridiculous. They bumped foreheads again.

Sarah touched his face indifferent, "What's there is 10 years old or more and they've faded over time. I told you, so you know yet again how much you matter to me. He met her as they kissed while she removed her bra and tossed it aside.

As they continued kissing she removed all of his clothes and then they separated again. Chuck carefully removed her last undergarment as Sarah stretched herself in waiting, Chuck kissed Sarah fervently, making himself one with her and wasted no time in setting to a nice pace with his wife. She lost herself in him, and Chuck was soon moving with her at the kind of pace that, without protection, would have made the conception of a child a certainty. After a few minutes they both blasted off in a loud heated climax accompanied by Sarah's steadily quickened breathing. Soon they were both at rest.

When Chuck spoke again it was playfully cautious, "You realize it is reckless for us to deliberately be trying to get pregnant, which I know we've talked about before."

Sarah smiled, "You joining the CIA makes things a little more feasible. I heard Beckman insisted you monitor all agency systems and security. She is pleased with your technical ability."

Chuck was modest, "Really?"

"Yes, so I will take my chances." She had a playful expression, "Besides, sometimes the beauty is in the attempt. Sarah ached to carry his child and it took every bit of self-control to stay on the pill.

Chuck grinned, "aren't you supposed to be the level-headed one?"

Sarah smiled defiantly, "I'm still on the pill aren't I, that is as level-headed as I can be. I would not have kids with anyone else. The idea of being a mother freaks me out to be honest, which is part of why I left Molly with my mom but somehow I embrace the idea with you."

Chuck stroked her hair gently and then kissed her body from neck to chest and back again. His inflection turned sympathetic. "Sarah what happened to you, and so many others. I can't imagine it and it makes me angry, but just when I think I can't possibly love you more, I do. I find myself in awe of who you are, how you look is just a nice bonus."

Sarah smiled appreciatively, "Well I haven't always looked like this Chuck. Somehow my face and body just did a 180 from awkward and nerdy, to blond bombshell. The abuse was about what its always about, a show of power." She wrinkled her face irritably, "Until I meant you my looks were nothing more than an annoyance, both ways. Sarah smiled again, "No man ever coveted me as you do."

Chuck gave a small laugh, "All of my absentminded stares are because I can't believe that someone as beautiful as you fell for me. It helps to know you had an awkward and nerdy phase, I never outgrew mine."

Sarah shook her head touching his face, "This nonsense again, I think I need to remind you that I CHOOSE YOU Chuck Bartowski and you are certainly awkward and nerdy but that is why I love you." She pulled the covers over both of them and spent most of the night explicitly reminding her husband of that fact.

VI

It was a lucky coincidence that Bryce's CIA handoff was taking place at a packed retail store on Black Friday. That afternoon saw a flood of crazed shoppers, Chuck and company eventually spotted Tommy among a dozen or more out of place people, that were certainly spies.

Casey was angry, "How did Tommy know we would be here."

Chuck sounded frustrated, "Must be a leak coming from somewhere."

Sarah sighed, "Fulcrum is already a leak my guess is we haven't accounted for here."

Bryce looked around, "Why would anyone who works here know about Fulcrum?"

Chuck was blunt, "They know I'm the host and are just looking for inside dirt." A pulled fire alarm interrupted their conversation.

Morgan cornered Chuck anxiously, "Why would somebody call pineapple on black Friday? Dammit, I have to rescue Anna!" The mob of customers was now rushing outside, carrying Big Mike out with it. The fire alarm on the sales floor was untouched.

The cluster of agents swarmed to Chuck and company rather quickly. Tommy spoke coolly, "Wow, terrible timing, this is what passes for a government operation. Hand over the Intersect host now."

Bryce was defiant, "Like I am going to come quietly."

Tommy inclined his head, "Not you Larkin, your friend with the pocket protector." Chuck stiffened. Tommy continued, "There's 13 of us, plus more outside."

Casey grunted in a barely audible whisper, "I'll watch the rest by escaping out the back."

Tommy was evidently content letting Casey flee. He was blunt, "The two of you against all of us? Capture them all!"

The fight that ensued was a rather chaotic three on nine fight. Chuck, Sarah, and Bryce were all back to back trapped in a circle. Two agents went after Chuck, the other six went at Bryce and Sarah. Chuck defended an initial series of punches, trying to punch back quickly. The problem was all the assailants were bulked more than him. They all seemed to pick up that he was not a fighter and targeted him. Bryce and Sarah managed to fend off the rest from overwhelming Chuck. Four were harshly ejected from the circle with a pair of roundhouses.

Chuck quipped rhetorically as he punched one of the remaining five agents harshly in the jaw. "So, you guys are used to this huh?" He parried a counter strike and kicked him squarely in the chest with a forceful sprint.

Bryce shot back with amusement, "Not as easy as you made it look yesterday is it? Watch your six!" Bryce dropped kicked someone who attacked Chuck from behind.

Chuck sighed quickly, "I guess not. Still-he had just roundhouse a retaliating attacker in the face all that time I spent playing Street Fighter seems to have paid off."

Sarah responded with blunt sarcasm, "Yeah, never mind training with actual spies." She was fighting the last three by with indirect assistance from Chuck and Bryce.

Chuck laughed, "of course I know that, sorry."

Sarah was breathing sharply, "Let's just take out the rest." Both men nodded.

The three of them rotated the remaining assailants between each other. In a unified flurry of punches kicks and defense; Chuck tired them out, Bryce softened them up and Sarah knocked them out.

Tommy was indifferent to this development. He questioned Chuck, "Apparently I need to update my intel. You're more than just an unwitting participant. You can remember the Intersect data, and it seems your protective detail has turned you into a competent spy."

Chuck responded with his own observation, "You do realize the store is publicly open, people will come back in here.

Tommy was casual, "I have agents for public service too, they will keep things busy. Besides, I have things to discuss and you'll want to hear me out." Two more agents came in carrying the worst possible hostages, Jeff and Lester. They were knocked out.

Chuck sighed, "Not good." Chuck drew his gun, "Let them go!"

Tommy let out a chuckle, "is that supposed to scare me? I am the one with the leverage."

Chuck shifted his focus, "Who is helping you?"

Tommy laughed, "Why would I spoil the fun. Now join Fulcrum or your co-workers are dead."

Chuck smiled, "Nobody knows how to remove the Intersect. If it's all the same to you I will stick to the NSA/CIA operation, I'm used to it and as the great Dwight Schrute once said it is better to be hurt by someone you know accidentally then by a stranger on purpose." He watched carefully as Casey came back in silently from behind drawing his gun on Tommy.

Casey was blunt, "Call off the cronies or I put a bullet in the back of your head!"

Tommy had the same inflection as when crossing paths with Bryce the other day, "Well that wouldn't be good." He put up his hands casually. "I still have the upper hand."

That was true, it was a stalemate. Still, Chuck had his gun at the ready. He needed Casey to pick a fight. Luckily, Tommy did that for him, spinning violently and kicking the gun right out of Casey's hand. Both cronies turned their heads long enough for Chuck to fire his gun in quick succession, dropping both agents and Jeff and Lester as they hit the floor.

Chuck winced slightly, "Sorry guys."

Meanwhile, Casey was locked in a sparring match with Tommy. The exchange was even with a flurry of punches that did nothing but waste energy. When they were through Tommy seemed to think it was time to retreat,

His inflection suggested a soldier content with living to fight another day, "I have the confirmation I came here for, that's enough for now." It happened so fast it caught everyone by surprise. A smoke grenade exploded letting Tommy escape.

Coughing through a haze, Casey was irritable. "Great, our only lead on Fulcrum-is gone."

Chuck responded in a sputter, "Not our only lead-someone in the Buy More is in Fulcrum's pocket."

Sarah was adamant, "I agree, Tommy was told Jeff and Lester are easy to leverage."

Casey scoffed as the smoke finally cleared. "Which one of the Buymorons went radical?"

Chuck sighed, "I have a pretty good idea, but I have to be sure or it will create a public mess."

Bryce was blunt, "Welcome to life as a spy, Chuck."

VII

Cleaners handled the mess inside the store under the cover a gas leak, announcing that it would be closed the remainder of the day, much to Big Mike's dismay. That allowed Chuck and company to remain inside the store handling the aftermath of Tommy's visit.

Graham looked worried when Chuck mentioned his suspicions, "A mole would be a major threat to this operation."

Beckman addressed Chuck pointedly, "Who do you suspect?"

Chuck folded his arms, "Harry Tang, he was gone for two weeks. Figured he was just on vacation, but after today I doubt it."

Beckman sighed, "Confirming this will be problematic."

Chuck nodded, "I can handle it discreetly general." She nodded. Casey wore a sour look clearly disappointed he wasn't asked to take a more direct approach.

Graham turned his attention to the situation as a whole, using his typical demeanor. "Fulcrum clearly knows who the real Intersect host is, that may necessitate moving Chuck underground sooner than I anticipated."

Chuck filled an uncomfortable silence, "May sir?"

Graham gave a blunt warning, "The possibility is more likely."

Beckman offered clarity, "If that were the case, your destination would be an NSA bunker in New York; Bravo bunker, typically for 1PP's high ranking NYPD officials during terrorism threats."

Chuck gave inquiry, "Let me guess, established after 9/11?"

Beckman nodded, "precisely."

Graham continued, "As of now, you stay here, but more infiltrations like this and I will follow through with moving you underground."

Chuck nodded, "Yes sir."

Graham shifted to the immediate aftermath of Tommy's infiltration, "The base we're constructing under the Buy More is nearly finished, it will help avoid the scenario I mentioned." He addressed Bryce now. "Agent Larkin, I remind you of your role. With Fulcrum aware of Chuck and us flying blindly as to its overall motives I am ordering you to go after them directly on your own, but you must go dark, you know how to proceed. You are all dismissed." The comm screen went dark.

Bryce was blunt, "Well I guess that's my cue."

Chuck sighed, 'Bye Bryce if I see you again I know there is trouble concerning me."

Bryce nodded, "Bye Chuck." He turned in Casey's direction. "You are still a good shot."

Casey responded wryly, "Not good enough obviously." They smiled.

Bryce turned to Sarah and Chuck again, "Looks like I made the right decision."

Chuck couldn't help himself, "What do you mean?"

Bryce smiled addressing them both, "I knew you could handle the Intersect and I knew Sarah would find you, if you go AWOL with Chuck, contact me I will help where I can."

Sarah couldn't help but ask, "I will, how'd you know?"

Bryce was casual, "I know both of you and I knew that you were always looking for something more out of life. Beckman and Graham will regret if they mess with that."

Bryce gave a small shudder as he left, and Sarah knew he was talking about her reputation. it was true, she would throw herself against the full weight of the government to preserve what she found, but she hoped it would not come to that.

A/N: That's it! Writers write what they feel, and I simply felt compelled to add what I did to Sarah's background. Again, it is not an assumption that such things occur in real life field agent training, but it is a nod to the fact that women and men for that matter, are much less afraid to tell their stories than in the past. One nugget, "jup" means friends in Kling-on. Updates are still indefinite until after my semester.