A/N: Back for more. We have our first cannon related chapter. I say cannon related because some of it will be the same and some will not. There is enough new in here for it to feel like its own thing, one scene is a direct contradiction of cannon which is the reason for the chapter title. I think people will be pleased.

I also want to make a note about the Buy More and its morons. To be completely honest I find it very difficult to include them. Even early series Morgan is in my view a waste of time from a writing perspective because I'm not limited to 42 minutes and have bigger fish to fry than giving them scenes, which is something I think the show spent a little too much time trying to do.

That's one reason the Buy More doesn't exist in my post-finale story, and I can't say how long it will exist here. Morgan only gets screen time in this chapter to assure people I don't plan to leave him out of the story. Everyone else probably will only be referenced by the major players for comedic purposes, unless I decide otherwise.

I've seen the show many, many, many times and I wish the comedy had functioned more like Castle. They always managed to have comedy be part of the main plot in an episode and did not need to create a secondary plot to inject humor (last season excluded of course) into the show. CHUCK did this too, but to a less satisfying degree that many times took time away from the main story.

Now that I have said my piece lets jump into my favorite Season 1 episode with my spin on it. Reviews are always appreciated.

Don't own CHUCK!"

Chuck Versus the Real Undercover Relationship

Chapter 3: The Alma Mater Paradox

Chuck learned quickly that staying in shape for spy-work needed a lot more discipline than he usually had. Luckily, Sarah worked with him patiently to bring out his inner Bruce Lee. He had no idea how she could manage being both his handler and his girlfriend, but she did flawlessly, so Chuck was both extremely grateful and somewhat surprised that she was not sick of him. Over the last two weeks, they dealt with an evil genius psychopath named Laszlo Mahnovski and a Chinese mercenary trying to rescue her brother from a mafia boss. Laszlo was worse but that was because their situations were eerily similar and he could not shake the feeling that his situation would never end and he would go insane too. The PTSD was much worse as a result; to the point that Sarah slept with Chuck most nights which at least averted major episodes. She suggested training anytime the occurrences overwhelmed Chuck, which also seemed to help, and meant they were usually up well before dawn. Training was going better too; that Monday saw him graduate from the punching bag to one on one combat.

Chuck's surprise was clear in both his words and expression, "Wait really? Are you sure?"

Sarah smiled as she finished wrapping both their hands in the protection of bandages. "Yes, you can keep your footwork when your attacking with your hands and your feet and Casey, Beckman and Graham are all impressed so it's time to give you a sparring partner, me." Sarah smiled and raised his hands in hers.

Chuck raised his eyebrows, "I am not going to hurt you." He squeezed her hand gently.

Sarah patted his chest with a grateful smile, "Don't worry Chuck, you can't. Now you can either spar with me or get beat up by Casey?"

Chuck seemed to think Casey would not hold back and knew that even a recreational fight with him was not a good idea until he got the hang of things. "Good point…where do we start?"

Sarah thought momentarily, "Kenpo Karate, they teach it in spy candidate school. I won't bother with stances because one on one combat in the spy world is not that formal."

Chuck smiled with a response full levity, "You mean people don't wait for you to take up stance when they're trying to kill you?" He grinned wryly.

Sarah smiled as she continued, "Just remember to keep your feet planted and react to your enemy's attacks rather than attacking first. Most of the time you can turn things against them. For now, we will start with basic punches and kicks universal to any martial art."

Chuck interjected, "Thrusts, elbows, palms, roundhouses; that sort of thing?"

Sarah nodded, "It always slips my mind that you did martial arts as a kid, let's see how rusty you are." She touched his shoulder briefly before they created space on the mat.

Turns out that once he relearned proper footwork Chuck was a more than decent fighter. His memory and retention even more impressive with that realization. When they set to spar Chuck matched Sarah blow for blow (they both pulled everything to an extent) for two rounds. During the third round Sarah got the upper hand because Chuck stayed predictable. After another horizontal thrust, Sarah parried and grabbed him at the shoulder effectively stopping his arm movement at the elbow. Chuck tried to counter but his momentum betrayed him, and he landed on his stomach on the mat.

Sarah knelt next to him with a broad smile. She was very pleased, "That was great Chuck."

Chuck rolled over weakly, "I think you're exaggerating.

Sarah shook her head insistently and was sweating, "Give yourself credit, you remember all the basics, which means next time we spar we can jump to Kenpo techniques starting with the first belt stuff." She helped Chuck to his feet and they were both suddenly very aware they were sweating.

Chuck sighed when he spoke, "How many are there? I never made it past the first belt in Kung-fu."

Sarah smiled as she imagined a young Chuck trying to do Kung-fu and continued brightly, "Most martial arts use the same series of colors: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red and black. A few in-between white and black are exclusive to certain variations of martial-arts."

Chuck laughed at himself, "I did not even get a color, figures…"

Sarah kissed him, she threw her arms around Chuck sympathetically. "It is amazing how much you don't believe in yourself."

Chuck sighed in a whisper, "life has kicked me around too much to believe in myself. Why is the universe so interested in me? I'm just Chuck Bartowski, a guy who works at Buy More."

Sarah put her head on his shoulder. She whispered calmly, "Maybe that's the point, but you have work at 8:00 right? That's in an hour."

Chuck sighed sadly, "I need a new job."

II

Many people believe that time is personal perception. Working at the Buy More left Chuck in full belief of this theory. Time stood still here…it was the most boring uninspired place to work. Well-known places would not take Chuck because of his expulsion from Stanford so he ended up here in figurative oblivion where time stood still. Today was like that was like that, not much activity. That changed near the end of his shift after Casey signaled Chuck while Morgan vented about the continued annoyance of Harry Tang.

Chuck entered the home theater room noticing the TV was already on, and Beckman stood out more than usual. "Wow, that new hi-def screen sure shows every wrinkle."

Casey gave a warning whisper, "They can hear you."

Chuck tried to recover as he sat down looking innocent, "twinkle, every twinkle; in her eye, eyes…" Sarah's eyes went sideways as she smiled in amusement. She grabbed Chuck's hand to stop his ramble.

Beckman took no notice and bluntly addressed the room, "We have a situation, a CIA asset has gone missing. We have had no communication with him for two days." She puts the file and the photo on the screen.

Chuck's shock escapes him, "No way…"

Sarah responses, "What did you flash?"

Chuck's shock is still apparent, "No I don't have to that guy was my professor at Stanford." Chuck remembers the initial information and his shock increases as Sarah and Casey show surprise. "Wait asset, he's CIA, my professor was a spy?" Chuck stared in disbelief.

Sarah filled in the missing pieces, "The CIA recruits on campuses across the country; Professor Fleming is a company scientist not an operative."

Graham cut in, "This is the last communication we had from him…" They all listened to a recording of Fleming saying that he foolishly copied Intel to a disk and that people were after him now.

Sarah was the first to question afterward, "Do we know what intel he copied?"

Beckman shook her head "We don't."

Graham continued, "He's handled many sensitive projects for us over the years, any leak could prove devasting."

Casey was at the ready, "How can we help?"

Graham answered his question, "Fleming has contacts in LA, if we find him you can extract him."

Beckman surveyed Chuck, "We'd like your help on this Chuck?"

Chuck gave a polite refusal, "Look, I-I-I really don't think that I'm your go-to guy on this one." His expression was downcast.

Graham pressed, "Your knowledge of Fleming is key here. We only have his official reports, you have a personal connection."

Chuck was slightly exasperated now, "Yeah I do have a personal connection a very bad personal connection. Look you guys have the file…okay, you know all about how he kicked me out of school. Maybe you can find someone else to help you just this once." He left without waiting for a response.

Beckman looked at Sarah, "Agent Walker Fleming is more likely to respond to a recognizable face given hostiles are pursuing him.

Sarah nodded "Yes general. She agreed but had her reasons for catching up with Chuck.

Sarah responded gently, "Can't leave without me remember?" She clasped his arm and hand in hers.

Chuck looked apologetic, "Sorry, but Stanford is one of my three sore subjects, other than mom and dad."

Sarah tilted her head sympathetically, "Understandable but I think this is about more than just the expulsion. What are you hanging on to, talk to me Chuck?"

Chuck stopped and looked at Sarah seriously, "Why does Bryce hate me so much? I just don't get it? I mean Morgan is my best friend sure, but Bryce understood technology as I did, he got it, and as much as I love Morgan it is the only thing we don't have in common. It was great to have that in common with someone and he helped get me past my social awkwardness, for a long time I was like those geeks on that new show Big Bang Theory, never able to say a full sentence to any girl without making a complete fool of myself…he fixed all that. So why would he turnaround and ruin my life not just once but twice?"

Sarah sighed, "I don't know, but Fleming probably recruited Bryce into the CIA so helping them might help you get answers that you have wanted for a long time. For now, let's get you home."

III

Casey was in his apartment going over his thoughts. Beckman and Graham asked his opinion of Chuck's progress and overall state. He was honest and said simply or maybe not so simply, better and worse; he could see PTSD was clear in Chuck, if only because he suffered from it himself and it made Casey glad he no longer needed to run surveillance on the kid. Any room Walker was in that did have surveillance seemed to malfunction, but he scanned her directly and found nothing, so he left it alone. She was doing the job, training and all. Casey regularly spotted her going into Chuck's apartment at night but considering his PTSD that was not a surprise. Chuck did not know that Casey knew about his PTSD and he was not going to mention it that was a personal thing. Overall his disclosed assessment was up and down.

The ups were Chuck's overall attitude and physical ability was improved enough to impress even Casey. Even he could not overlook Walker's effect on Bartowski. He was obviously a quick learner because he had helped fight off the Chinese mafia last week and Casey had gained a certain level of respect and tolerance after that. Walker's carefully set up plan was producing results. Downs were worrisome, as much as giving Walker reign over Chuck was working Casey did not like that it threw out the book he lived by all the time. Then there was the kid's PTSD, and Casey was sure that it would overwhelm Chuck eventually. Then there was the fact his family knew about the operation, and then there was Walker…he could not gauge her at all, he did not like thinking in larger terms than black and white.

A knock on the door interrupted Casey's thoughts. Chuck stood in the doorway with a serious look, he was holding up his Stanford ID card, "I was cleaning out stuff from Stanford and I just flashed on myself. Why am I in the Intersect?"

Casey's eyes narrowed, "What?"

Sarah was walking by just as Chuck tossed his ID angrily at Casey and stepped inside with an annoyed look, "I was throwing out an old box of stuff from Stanford, my ID fell out and when I picked it up I flashed. My Stanford application is one of the Intersect files."

Sarah came inside just as Casey looked uncertainly at Chuck. He was indifferent, "You didn't appear on the NSA radar until after Bryce sent you the Intersect."

Sarah caught Chuck's ID as Casey tossed it to her, she looked at it uncertainly as Chuck sat down, "Same with the CIA."

Chuck sighed with a heavy expression as he paced back and forth, "Why don't I find that reassuring. Looks like I have to help find Fleming after all."

Sarah cautioned him, "it won't be easy."

Casey showed new intel with a stern expression, "The professor is being hunted, the NSA interviewed one witness in Fleming's class who ID'd a Magnus Einersson. He's an Icelandic spy."

Chuck's eyes narrowed in disbelief, "I'm sorry, Iceland does espionage?"

Casey clarified with a hungry expression, "Magnus steals and sells intel to the highest bidder." He paused for a slight chuckle. "Iceland isn't officially aware of his activities." The chuckle turned into a full grin.

Sarah continued casually, "It says here crossbow is his weapon of choice."

Chuck gave a quip, "What happened slingshots too ineffective? Guess he never played Zelda as a kid. He got up and headed for the door. " Casey my second shift starts soon come by when you find something."

Casey had an indifferent expression, "Give me a sec with your girlfriend." Casey looked at Sarah with a calculated expression while Chuck waved a hand in acknowledgment as he waited outside.

Casey crossed his arms and cut to the chase, "What's your game Walker?"

Sarah wore a fixed expression, "What do you mean?"

Casey continued calmly, "I heard about you for years, Langston Graham's wildcard enforcer: no-nonsense, driven unquestioning of your orders. Reminds me of me honestly. Probably why I wanted to beat you to the intel so badly on day 1."

Sarah remained unchanged, "What's your point?"

Casey grunted in a light friendly way and continued, "You haven't been acting like your reputation."

Sarah eyed him darkly, "You shouldn't base your opinion on hearsay and word of mouth, but government loyalty is your thing, so I'm not surprised."

Casey stiffened, "Are you going to follow Larkin's lead?"

Sarah stiffened now, "I am no traitor!"

Casey was blunt, "What are you then?"

Sarah answered his question cryptically. "I'm what government is supposed to be; for the people."

Sarah was at the door when Casey called after her, "I'm watching you, Walker."

Sarah turned around in the doorway looking Casey square in the eye. Her tone was indifferent, "Watch all you want I have nothing to hide."

Casey gave a deep grunt, "Find that hard to believe considering the remaining surveillance goes on the fritz with any room you're in, seems like you're a double agent to me. There are things I have kept my mouth shut so far so unless you want more to worry about other than Bartowski, I suggest you tell me your end game."

Sarah considered him, "Why do you do this job?"

Casey grunted again, "So all the saps in the world can have the American Dream."

Sarah smiled, "Turns out your more than your reputation. Ever heard of nanotechnology?"

Casey shrugged, "it's in early development here."

Sarah walked up to him with a blunt look and pulled her hair back, "here is the keyword."

Casey squinted uncertainly, "What am I looking at Walker?"

Sarah pointed with a direct expression, "My temple on the right side of my head."

Casey gazed for a moment and then noticed the scar, "So you had something implanted?"

Sarah nodded, "ultramodern nano-jammer. So yes, it is blocking surveillance signals, no I can't tell you more. I believe in the same thing you do. I am a white night of sorts working from within the government but independent of it. The only question is will you be on my side or in my way? I could use a black night Casey."

Casey grunted, "I figured the agent thing was a bit too robotic to be real, and no agent would be this attached unless you were compromised already."

Sarah stiffened, "That is such a stupid word. Do you ever just want a normal life? A family? Children?"

Casey stiffened too, "the choice we made to protect something bigger than ourselves, is the right choice. Hard as that is for you to remember sometimes."

Sarah had a familiar charge in her eyes. " I remember Casey; it's the government who's forgotten that."

Casey was left to mull over what Sarah said as she left. Considering he was given a kill order on Chuck, he found it hard to disagree with her.

IV

Casey seemed to have a knack for showing up near the end of Chuck's sifts. His leather jacket screamed spy.

Chuck eyed Casey curiously as he rang the bell on the Nerd Herd desk, "You didn't offer to kill Harry for Anna, did you?"

Casey shook his head, "no, why? He grunted. "You want me to kill him? His inflection showed a willingness to do so if asked.

Chuck squinted uncomfortably, "Anna said she knew somebody who could take him out, I assumed she was talking about you. It would boost morale. Since he became assistant manager, he's become unbearable especially with Morgan."

Casey grinned, "I'm flattered you thought of me." He dropped a photo in front of Chuck and shifted gears. "we just got a hit off a traffic camera in Hollywood."

Chuck was rhetorical as he saw the picture, "That's Fleming!"

Casey was sarcastic, "Thanks, you just saved me a lot of investigative work there Intersect. DMV told me that."

Chuck was indignant, "Wow sarcasm what a surprise!"

Casey ignored this, "We located the car Fleming was driving. A local address we're bringing him in ASAP.

Chuck had an uncertain look, "So what do you need me for?"

Casey leaned in impatiently, "Yours is a friendly face, your professor sees you there he'll be more inclined to cooperate. Copy?"

Chuck burst Casey's bubble. "Yeah, except that I wasn't exactly the professor's star student."

Casey was already walking away, "We leave in three."

Chuck sighed and stood up just as Morgan came into view. He recovered his usual peppy attitude from earlier outrage over the lunch break schedule. "Hey Chuck things are slow, so we are about to have a name that show competition, care to take me on as defending champ?"

Chuck stood still momentarily glancing in Casey's direction and declining apologetically, "That sounds fun buddy, but I just got called for an off-site install in Hollywood, so duty calls."

Morgan was impressed, "No wonder I haven't seen you much. You're in demand, Chuck Bartowski moving up in the world!"

Chuck grinned, "What can I say?" He shot another annoyed look at Casey. "I am popular lately."

V

Sarah instructed Chuck as she finished eying the professor's house through binoculars. "we'll extract the professor as quickly as possible, you'll keep watch?"

Chuck nodded, "If I flash on any bad guys I'll call."

Sarah was uncertain, "Everything looks quiet, but…"

Chuck responded dryly, "I know, I know, stay in the car."

Sarah shook her head. Casey raised his eyebrows. Sarah calmly instructed otherwise, "You can't watch all vantage points if you stay in the car. Hide in the bushes at the front of his house. She reached momentarily into her pant leg and pulled out one of her thin throwing knives, handing it to Chuck. "Take this too, I know we haven't practiced it much but just remember to plant your feet as you go to throw and keep a loose grip, so the motion created by the extension of your arm is more fluid. Like a paper airplane or a baseball." Chuck stared at the knife as he took it and nodded.

Casey grunted uncertainty as they all left the car. Chuck took up in the bushes at the front as Casey and Sarah checked things from the interior. For a while there was nothing, then Chuck spotted Fleming at the far end carrying groceries. Chuck was tempted to run after him, but instead, he waited. After a few more minutes Fleming came back toward his house. Magnus was also there now. He walked several feet past the bush Chuck was hiding in, reading his crossbow. Fleming was looking down at something when he was back in view and did not notice his attacker was seconds away from firing. There was enough distance between Chuck and Magnus that he sprang up and ran a few steps before throwing the knife at him. He dropped his crossbow and ran off with the knife stuck deep in his shoulder. Chuck was aiming for his neck, clearly his aim needed work. Evidently Magnus thought things had gotten too messy to stick around.

Chuck panted doubling over speaking into his watch. "Glass Castle is secure, but man you guys need to change the policy on all clears when you enter places. "

Casey quipped with indifference, "How do you know about procedural policy?"

Chuck sighed embarrassingly, "I watch a lot of crime shows."

Sarah came through Chuck's watch. She was more frantic than usual, "Are you okay? Where is Magnus?"

Chuck sighed again, "Busy with a knife to the shoulder. Didn't stick around."

Sarah had an impressed tone when she spoke again, "We're headed back downstairs and outside now, excellent work Chuck!"

Fleming was shocked, "Chuck Bartowski so you're with the agency after all? Why didn't you say anything?"

Chuck sighed, I don't think I'm supposed to really, I'm an asset."

Fleming was rather surprised, "Well we have code phrases, next time, if it's a dangerous situation say, are you coming to the toga party? It will help considering your situation."

Chuck was impressed, "a real code phrase I like it, that's awesome!"

Fleming continued, "so what are we doing now? Who's bringing me in?"

Chuck smiled awkwardly, "Sarah and Casey are, but I don't suppose I could cash this in to get my diploma?" Chuck's face changed to one of uncertainty. "Wait, what do you mean, I'm with the agency after all?"

Fleming hesitated, "I'm sorry, we shouldn't discuss it in the open because people are after my disc, but I only did what he asked."

Casey and Sarah were back outside. Casey grabbed Chuck by the arm, "What are you doing standing around when Magnus could come back. Two steps forward one step back that it Bartowski?"

Sarah shot Casey a look as she finished talking with Fleming and spoke with urgency, "We do need to go, Chuck, they'll be time to catch up later."

Chuck exchanged a meaningful look with both and then questioned Flemings earlier words, "Professor has the CIA been watching me since I was at Stanford?"

Fleming sighed apologetically, "Yes, my disc holds the truth."

Sarah and Casey's eyes widened. Chuck was stuttering from shock, "What, what-what are you talking about professor? What truth?"

Fleming handed a paper, "These numbers mark the spot in the Stanford library where I hid the intel for Bryce to find, make sure he gets them."

Sarah took the piece of paper with a sigh, "Bryce is dead."

Chuck studied the paper and then looked at the others with a deadened expression, Bryce had a spot where he would hide stuff. I can't believe I'm about to say this…" he closed his eyes briefly trying to wish it away. I have to go back to Stanford."

Casey responded dryly, "Cool…"

VI

Fleming's revelation was a shock to Chuck. He was placed in protective custody, but not before Chuck questioned him further. He would only continue to say that the disc held the answers. That was the only thing driving Chuck as he walked back onto Stanford's campus.

Chuck was dazed as he looked around at the mass of people here for the Stanford UCLA football game, "This is totally freaking me out it's like nothing has changed."

Sarah asked him pointedly, "is that good or bad?" Chuck's response was a mumble.

They met up with Ellie and Devon, whom picked her up and spun her around several times. He was enthusiastic. "You ladies ready to rock?"

Chuck answered dully, "Well when you put it that way maybe not." Devon's hip checked Chuck.

Ellie smiled, "You want to meet us at the stadium? I think we're probably going to hang out here until the game starts?"

Chuck whispered, "Yeah, but listen, Ellie, we're not just here for the game. A disc of CIA intel is in the Stanford library, and it turns out that may have the truth about Stanford."

Ellie was shocked, "I knew you didn't steal those tests! Find out what is going on Chuck!" He nodded with determination."

As they progressed further Casey was met by a rather messy looking student, "Plant a Stanford tree, create a renewable resource for your children's future."

Casey sounded pitying and annoyed, "You want to save our environment huh? Take a shower hippie!" He balled the flyer and threw it at him as he kept going.

Chuck surveyed Casey's clothes with a mock tone. He was in all black again. "Nice job blending in with the crowd who are you rooting for death?"

Casey shot him a look, "leave the quips to me."

Chuck turned his eyes elsewhere, "The library is this way across the quad."

A few minutes later Chuck stopped and sighed. Sarah responded gently, "What is it?"

Chuck was preoccupied, "I don't know I figured this would be tough, but this place is just a lot to take in. It was the worst day of my life getting kicked out of here. I just want answers because I did not do what they think I did."

Sarah grabbed Chuck's arm and kissed him momentarily. Casey watches them with some level of interest. Sarah spoke gently, "We will figure it out, Chuck."

Now inside the library, Chuck accused Casey of theft, "You stole my ID?"

Casey insisted otherwise, "I borrowed it to reactive it."

When they made it to the section written on the paper, it was already taken apart. Casey was angry, "How did Magnus beat us here…he's got the book."

Sarah sighed "he'd been tracking Fleming for awhile probably had him and his place bugged. We're too late."

Chuck looked at the shelf curiously, "Hold on…" He recalled this spot from when he and Bryce used to play Manhunt in the library. He lost every time. After a minute he pulled the disc from a hidden slot.

Chuck held the disc up with a grin, "Got ya; the book number was just a way to mark the spot."

They spotted Magnus coming from another direction a few minutes later. Sarah put a hand on Chuck's chest urgently, "He brought reinforcements this time. Chuck, run. Head for the back door."

At a frantic pace, they all took off in various directions. Chuck ran down the back steps and back into the field of tailgaters. He managed to shake his purser by tossing obstacles behind him as he ran. Chuck eventually ducked under a table coming out the other side where Casey collected him by the shirt collar and elbowed another pursuer coming from the opposite direction.

Sarah just caught up when Magnus and several others were seen advancing on them in the distance. She was urgent as they all stopped for a moment, "Alright they spotted us. We have to get out of here."

Chuck was frantic and exasperated, "I swear this school has it in for me!"

They ran into a distant building of the University and took shelter in a nearby classroom. Chuck moved to one of the computers with a determined face, "I need to see what's on this disc."

Sarah continued with the same urgency, "Chuck we don't have time for this, we're still being pursued!"

Chuck insisted, "I need answers." Sarah relented and met Chuck in front of the computer while Casey paced watching the door.

Sarah observed as Chuck browsed the files, "It's testing data…"

Chuck opened and closed one file, "and videotaped interviews…"

Sarah nodded, "Exactly, students recruited into the CIA by Fleming…10 years' worth. It is all their current information."

Casey made a comprehending noise, "No wonder Magnus wants it so badly. Foreign governments pay a fortune for that."

Chuck scrolled into the 2000's spotting a familiar name, "Look at this right next to 2002—Bryce Larkin. Bryce joined the CIA our junior year?"

Casey came over instructing bluntly, "That's enough. Now we know what he is after."

Chuck spotted his name in 2003, and his voice went up quite a bit, "No; wait, wait, wait! That's me I'm in here too.

Casey and Sarah reacted simultaneously with differing opinions.

Sarah looked at Chuck forcibly, "Don't click it! She had a nagging feeling the CIA had tabbed someone else to exploit.

Casey's curiosity got the better of him. "Click it!" What was the government's fascination with some nerd with a glorified desk job?

Chuck blurted out an obvious fact that hung in the air, "I never applied to be in the CIA!"

They never continued the discussion because seconds later the door at the top of the classroom burst open and gunfire started. Several agents flooded down the stairs. Chuck and company ducked behind the last row of desks.

Chuck became frantic as bullets continued to fly, "I have an idea. Get me out of here!"

Sarah ejected the disc and passed it to Chuck, "When I say go, run out the side door protect the disc! We'll cover you!" She briefly kissed him. "Be careful…go!" A beaker had just shattered nearby.

Chuck made it to another room and frantically inserted the disc as he started calling agents from the list using the code phrase. His phone rang on its own.

Morgan always seemed to call him when he was on missions. He answered, "Agent Katz?

Morgan responded hopefully, "Hey Frodo is that you? I thought my code name was Samwise Gamgee?"

Chuck's patience quickly evaporated, "Morgan, listen, this is really, really not a good time."

Morgan sighed, "Yeah it's not a good time over here either dude, I'm stuck in the hole doing customer service. Harry struck again; these kids are animals!"

Chuck checked his surroundings as his exasperation continued, "Okay buddy I get that, but I'm at Stanford. What do you want me to do about it?"

Morgan crossed his fingers, "Do you have the code to Tang's universal remote?"

Chuck had to stop himself from crushing his phone in anger. He recovered and answered impatiently, "Okay, okay the code is OU812#."

Morgan was grateful, "Dude you're my hero thank you so much!" Morgan hung up, but Chuck distinctly heard him lecturing kids on how throwing things would not help their lives before things cut off.

Chuck just removed the disc when he heard an all too familiar noise behind him. He ducked just as Magnus fired. Clearly, he'd restocked since the first time they met. Back in the other room Casey and Sarah were now taking heavy fire. They both crouched panting behind a desk one sided with bullet holes.

They both reloaded their last bit of ammo. Casey had an uneasy expression, "I've got two rounds left.

Sarah sighed with a tiresome look, "I got half a mag."

Casey looked at her seriously, "Listen I thought about what you said earlier today, and this situation smells funny. I know about Budapest and can tell you redacted details. You can't be a mercenary without help. So I'm on team free will."

Sarah smiled appreciatively "We need to get out of here first. I'm going to go for it, you in?"

Casey grinned, "You bet, I hate long goodbyes!"

Just as they broke cover, other students burst in with Guns at the ready. Glenda Mitchell spoke threateningly. "Drop your weapons!"

Casey responded with surprise at the turn of events, "Looks like someone called the cavalry!"

Sarah looked at Casey with relief, "Good, cause I only had one shot left. Casey's eyes widened as Glenda and the hippie student recognized each other.

Back in the other room, Chuck was fleeing from Magnus in a crawl under desks. When he ran out, Magnus grabbed the disc and prepared for the kill. Another student drop-kicked Magnus knock him out. After she helped him to his feet, Chuck mentioned how glad he was that she checked her email.

VII

They got home rather subdued. Ellie was more than bored, "I can't believe that game was such a wash, what a blowout."

Chuck was emphatic as he entered the kitchen, "Worst game ever!"

Devon responded uncertainly, "It's not coming off. I think I used the wrong kind of paint."

Ellie grinned, "Try some stronger soap and a shower." Devon nodded.

Ellie turned to Chuck curiously, "Did you get the disc?"

Chuck nodded, "Yeah my names on it but I haven't viewed the file…turns out Bryce joined the CIA in our junior year, the year before my name is listed."

Ellie pressed him, "Why haven't you looked at it?"

Chuck sighed, I didn't want to do it alone. I feel like some invisible hand has been controlling my life since the day I was expelled and finding out won't help the situation I'm stuck with."

Ellie hugged her brother, "Then we'll do this together you're not alone Chuck.

When they got upstairs to his room, Sarah and to both Ellie and Chuck's surprise, Casey was already there.

Sarah looked at Chuck, "did you view the file?"

Chuck shook his head, "Not yet, we were just about to."

Ellie looked at Casey warily, "What's he doing here?"

Casey ignored the tone, "Easy I'm not here to fight. Your brother's situation leaves a bad taste in my mouth, and since Sarah seems to be a white knight, I figure the citizens could use a black knight."

Sarah nodded to them both. He's onboard. I told him about Budapest."

Chuck stared at Casey, "You are?"

Casey grunted deeply, "I left a life behind to serve my country and protect people who couldn't protect themselves. We're supposed to make the American Dream possible, not screw people out of it. I've heard of crappy hands, but yours and that kid's, it's cruel, and they were going to ask me to…" Casey clenched his teeth.

Chuck raised his eyebrows, "What?"

Sarah sighed, "A kill order Chuck, once the new Intersect is complete. Which means I may have no choice but to run with you eventually…Casey needs his job; we need someone permanently in the government's favor, I won't be that forever…you and Molly are too important to me."

Casey raised his eyebrows, "You want me to continue being me?"

Sarah nodded, "You have access."

Casey shrugged, "More like friends in high places, I will do what I can but if you want me to stay linked to big brother I will have to play my role if you drop the façade."

Sarah had that same charge in her eyes, she was blunt, "I won't do that unless they force my hand. For now, we check the disc."

Chuck nodded, "Let's get some answers then."

Chuck pulled the disc out of his jean pocket and inserted it into his new computer. After a minute he opened his file. Sarah moved next to him in another chair taking his hand. Ellie stood behind him with both hands on his shoulders, and Casey stood against the wall nearby. With a deep breath, Chuck hit play.

Fleming was talking to the Camera with a matter of fact voice, "Test subject 0326 Bartowski. It will be his first interview. Fleming addressed his receptionist over the phone. "Send Chuck in." Fleming's office door opened after several seconds. It was Bryce, not Chuck.

Fleming was surprised, "Bryce…this isn't a good time I'm waiting for another student." Chuck, Sarah, and Ellie all exchanged a look.

Bryce's tone was calmly blunt as he sat down, "Chuck Bartowski? He never got your message; I deleted it."

Fleming was not expecting this, "What are you talking about?"

Bryce had an edge to his voice now, "You put Chuck on the CIA recruitment track."

Fleming responded defensively, "It's not up to me Bryce. They want him for the Omaha Project."

Bryce was anxious now, "That's a military operation they'll turn Chuck into-"

Fleming talked over him still defensive, "I'm required to send all the top test results to the agency."

Bryce was blunt, "I want my friend out of this."

Fleming sounded like a scientist that could not believe recent results of a test. "He's a perfect candidate, keywords in his essay responses correlate to 98% of the subliminal imagines in the exam. You scored the next highest at 90%. We haven't worked out the flaw that causes the brain to size from information overload, 95% is the threshold needed to handle the data. The class average was 70%. Chuck is parallel to computer memory. The tactical advantage, they-"

Bryce talked over Fleming and emotion slowly took over now, "You don't get it. Chuck's a good person; he's got too much heart for this kind of work. He's no operative. Bryce punched the table in frustration as he continued, "You can't put him in the field he won't survive!"

Fleming sighed, "The agency is not going to let go of a recruit this promising. The amount of information he can retain, it's as close to an actual computer as I've ever seen. They have been searching since it was initiated after 9/11."

Bryce was blunt again, "They're not going to give him a choice?"

Fleming shook his head, "They didn't give Orion a choice when they found out he created it. Chuck's in no matter what."

Bryce thought momentarily, "If he cheated on the exam copied all the answers it wouldn't validate the results then wouldn't it?"

Fleming understood, "Yes."

Bryce stood up, "Good now you're going to help me, professor.

The video ended a few seconds later.

Everyone was quiet, Casey excused himself, feeling this was a personal moment, "I will do some digging, find out more about Project Omaha and this Orion." Something big was happening in the walls of government and Casey loathed the idea that he was a pawn in somebody else's game.

Chuck was stunned, "Bryce framed me for cheating…to save me. Why didn't he just tell me that to begin with?"

Sarah sighed. "He couldn't; they already recruited him."

Chuck felt affection for Bryce sprout in his chest again, "Well look if he had a good reason for getting me kicked out maybe he had a good reason to break into the Intersect too. I just wish I could talk to him. It must have torn him up to not be able to tell me. The Bryce on that video is the Bryce I remember."

Sarah was serious, "I don't think Bryce is a traitor after seeing this, but things just got a lot worse. There could be a splinter cell inside the agencies."

Chuck gulped, "Great…this is not going to help my PTSD."

Ellie sighed, "I wondered what all the extra noise at night was, I went to check and saw Sarah in your room, so I never said anything. Now it makes sense."

Chuck was frustrated, "What doesn't make sense is why Bryce pulled a 180 and dragged me into this…"

Sarah was worrisome, "I think I know, you are the last person anyone would think holds the Intersect. Bryce knew it wasn't safe in the walls of government. I have a bad feeling that Molly's inheritance, was going to be used to finance the splinter cell, and the Intersect was going to be used to drive it. I prevented one without even realizing it, and Bryce prevented, or at least delayed the other by sending the Intersect to you. I'm glad Casey is with us now, because I don't know if Beckman and Graham are a part of the splinter cell, but something big is coming, I can feel it. We need to flush out the splinter cell because they won't stop looking for you and Molly."

Chuck raised his eyebrows, "how can you be sure?"

Sarah had an uneasy expression, "I can't, but Bryce clearly remembered what Fleming said and knew the Intersect was safest with you, he reacts before he thinks. Not that he had much time to thwart a splinter cell."

Ellie was blunt, "I'm starting to think the Piranha should resurface early. The government's been watching you; it's time for you to watch the government."

Sarah turned to Chuck curiously, "That is the second time I've heard that name…are you sure you aren't a spy Chuck?"

He shook his head, "Not a spy…a hacker and Ellie, I think you're right! He looked at Sarah with determination. "You said that you're for the people? Well in cyber circles I'm a grey hat, nothing hostile but I can't call myself totally ethical. My nickname is the piranha, and it's time for me to swim again!"

A/N: I really try to keep shorter chapters, so I thought it was a good place to stop. The other side will get flushed out in the coming chapters. I thought since I am doing a bunch of stuff early why not work in a conspiracy. I promise I will make it more worthwhile than canon😊