A/N: All of Lethal Weapon in one chapter. We're getting closer and closer to Day 564, and we know that. Wtf things from this episode--Morgan is there when Sarah calls Chuck outside at the end of Beefcake. Yet--Morgan has no idea that the plans have changed? Wtf happened when Sarah went back inside? Something I couldn't fix--Chuck's pants are cut to the knee in the hospital for the cast...yet magically mended once he's chasing Busgang. Keeping it rolling. Predator is short, Broken Heart not so much. Enjoy!

We put on our best artificial smiles and went back inside.

"Is everything ok?" Ellie asked, her fingers folded expectantly in front of her mouth.

"Yes," Chuck replied, a little too brightly. He grabbed me around my waist and kissed my temple gently.

"See, what did I say?" Morgan beamed. "Anything. In. The. World."

I had no idea what he was talking about, but apparently Ellie did, because she beamed just as brightly.

Morgan's phone ringing broke the spell. He excused himself into the kitchen to take the call, then bolted straight past us to the door. "Sorry, guys, gotta go. My Mom's locked out of the house. I'll see you."

Everyone called goodbye to Morgan and he left without another word.

"Chuck and I are going to move in together," I announced, before Chuck could say anything else. He was a bundle of nerves, upset about so much that had just happened.

Ellie squealed and grabbed me in a hug. I could hear Devon behind us, saying something to Chuck under his breath about sealing the deal or some other borderline rude comment, like he always did.

We stood around chatting for a while, as the night ticked later and later.

"Sarah, you're staying, right?" Ellie asked me excitedly, a statement, not a question.

"Of course," I answered her, not able to think of a legitimate excuse that would justify me needing to go home when I was ready to move in with Chuck.

Chuck just kept smiling, but his eyes, already troubled, became positively desperate. According to Ellie, which was the factual truth, I had only stayed with Chuck here that one night that Ellie was poisoned, cut short by her trip to the hospital in an ambulance. They assumed he always stayed with me, when he was away on a mission.

Looked like there was no chance of an interruption like we'd had before. It looked like another awkward night in Chuck's bed was unavoidable.

Once we were alone in Chuck's room, I apologized.

"No, it's not your fault," he mumbled. He walked to his closet, opened the door, and reached in. He pulled out a t-shirt and handed it to me. "You can sleep in this. It should fit you like a nightshirt."

It was a black t-shirt with the Union Jack on the front. The shirt Chuck was wearing under his white sports jacket when he had come to my hotel room, the night Bryce came back to town. I could already smell him on it. The bed would be even worse.

"You can change in the bathroom," he added.

"Uh, no, I can't, Chuck. We have to sell it," I reminded him. He looked flustered, so I closed myself in his closet to change. He was right, that his t-shirt hit mid-thigh on me. I almost sank into the clothes hanging on the racks. I was completely immersed in him.

When I stepped out, he was already dressed in his pajama pants and a t-shirt. He climbed under the covers on the left side of his bed, though I knew when he was alone he usually gravitated to the right side.

I went across the hallway to the bathroom to brush my teeth and then climbed onto what I thought of as Chuck's side of the bed. I turned off the light and rested my head on his pillow. I felt surrounded by him.

He pulled the blanket over and wrapped himself inside like he was in a cocoon. "Good night, Sarah," he whispered.

Neither one of us slept a wink that night. Chuck stayed flat on his back, stiff and uncomfortable. He was afraid to touch me, I knew. Truth be told, I didn't trust myself either. I laid awake all night watching the time tick by, minute by minute on the digital clock face, worrying about everything.

Deep inside, I couldn't deny that I wanted this, despite how much extra strain it added. The closer I could get to him, the closer I still wanted to get. But how much could he take? Really living with me…in an apartment paid for by the CIA? My mind kept racing, full of thoughts that flitted in all directions.

He let me shower first, all bundled under the blankets. Chuck got a good look at me in my underwear, his shirt tucked up higher than it had been in at night. I was trying to joke with him. He was in agony, especially when I think about it now. I hate that I liked it maybe a little too much, even though it was torturing him. Ellie let me use her shampoo and body wash, but I admit I prolonged my shower, opening Chuck's toiletries and indulging in the scent, potent and so intoxicating.

We were in the bathroom together, brushing our teeth side by side, what Chuck calls tandem-style, which is quite cute. This was the first time, even though this was just pretend, but the habit stuck. It was moments like these, tender, sweet, when we weren't anything but Chuck and Sarah, normal people, that strengthened the bond between us.

He asked me if I was worried about Cole, with this strange, almost distracted look on his face. I was confused, not knowing what exactly he had seen. I merely told him I was concerned, but I knew he could take care of himself.

He sounded almost sad, telling me he thought Cole and I had a sort of…connection. I assured Chuck it was purely professional. Lying, just a bit, although, technically, it was just professional. I had no real feelings for him, not like I did for Chuck. Though, how would Chuck know any of that? There was no real, no fake…A kiss was a kiss…whether it was Cole or Chuck. At least I think that was how Chuck rationalized it, how he questioned how I felt, even after everything, even farther into the future from this point.

He was quiet the rest of the time. I got dressed in his closet again while he dressed for work in his room.

Ellie made us both an elaborate breakfast, much more than the usual cereal and milk that was Chuck's staple. Ellie was really interested in me sort of "weeding out" Chuck's things for our move. I joked and said I was making a list. Chuck made this face, but he played along, asking about my "list." It was so easy to pretend it was real. It felt real, like we were normal.

Then Ellie brought up the Tron poster.

It had been in the same spot in his room since I had first met him. But I didn't know the significance of it, or what it meant. A movie that Chuck and his dad had enjoyed together when Chuck was young. His father had given him the poster. Ellie sort of backed off when he said that, but I certainly noticed the wound inside him was showing, just a bit. It did whenever he talked about his father.

Ellie asked if he had any luck finding their father. I didn't know Chuck was actively looking. Lots of revelations seemed to happen when I was there for breakfast and not just listening on surveillance.

I changed the subject and asked Chuck if he had broken the news to Morgan, maybe called him somehow when I was in the shower or whatever, after Morgan had to leave suddenly last night.

We left in our separate cars to head to work.

When I got to Castle, Casey was already there and had Beckman on the monitor. They had been out all night looking for Cole, with no luck. The 12 hour deadline had just expired right before I arrived. That was bad, very bad. Worst case scenario bad. We had to believe that everything Cole knew–Chuck's identity, the location of Castle, and any other pertinent information had been tortured out of him.

I was given the task of moving intel, packing up as much paperwork as I could to move to a secure location while Casey went to extract Chuck. We were going to have to put him underground, and for how long, we had no idea.

Chuck's first concern was never himself, rather for his sister, Devon and Morgan. I had to assure him that his safety was top priority and we would come back afterward to make sure everyone else was safe. He usually argued more prolifically when faced with that answer, but our frantic rushing must have driven home the sense of urgency.

We couldn't even finish packing up when the perimeter breach alarm sounded. We grabbed weapons, prepared to defend Chuck to our last breath.

I think Chuck was trying to apologize for his stupid antics in front of Alexis, although I wasn't sure. He never got the chance to finish what he was saying.

The door opened…and Cole was there, looking like he had just escaped from the bowels of hell. I was staring at him in open-mouthed shock. I think we all were.

I quickly handed my rifle to Casey and ran forward to Cole. He made a stupid crack about me missing him before he collapsed to his knees. He reassured us he gave up no information.

I knelt beside him, trying to assess his wounds. He looked like he had been beaten within an inch of his life, bleeding from so many cuts and lacerations his entire torso was stained red. I was in awe of him, that he had withstood multiple rounds of torture…and he protected Chuck's secret.

I helped him up, let him lean on me while we walked back into Castle. Casey suggested one of the interrogation rooms. I had to debrief him, to get an accurate depiction of what had happened, and anything he may have said, even if he believed it was of no significance. I got him cleaned up and bandaged and then Casey and Chuck left the room when I questioned him.

I was trying to be as clinical as I could when I was questioning him. The way he answered was…more emotional than anticipated, especially from a super-spy like Cole was. He said he didn't talk because he knew if he did that we were all in danger, and he wouldn't risk our safety. He did say all of us–Chuck, Casey, and me, though he stressed me more significantly. I know by this point Cole already suspected I had feelings for Chuck, so part of doing it for me meant doing it for Chuck, because I cared about him. Subtle distinction, and one Chuck never figured out.

I asked him why he came back to Castle once he escaped. His only reply was that he wanted to make sure I was safe.

Beckman called us once we sent her word that we had Cole and that he was safe. They were looking for the Fulcrum scientist code named Perseus, who was the mastermind behind Fulcrum's attempt at building their own Intersect. She ordered Casey and I to attend a reception at the Swiss Consulate where he was likely to be, while Chuck and Cole stayed in Castle as back up.

Casey and I were making our rounds at the party, both Cole and Chuck in our ears. Seemed like they were mildly bickering, which was strange. Cole complimenting me, Chuck telling him to be serious, then doing the same. It was borderline embarrassing.

Chuck flashed on Howard Busgang, a scientist who contracted for the Department of Defense. He was certain that he had to be Perseus. Casey and I made our way to him, but not before we were intercepted by a Fulcrum agent, who disabled our communication devices. We lost contact, but we didn't know how badly we had been made until we were taken at gunpoint, along with Dr. Busgang.

Dr. Busgang seemed confused by the guns, while we were captive. He called the head agent with the gun by name, Duncan. Busgang thought he was working for the CIA. So he was not a willing Fulcrum agent, rather duped into working for Fulcrum. That was a benefit of belonging to a group of rogue agents within a legitimate agency. It was much easier to get away with what they were trying to do.

We were standing at gunpoint when I heard Casey mutter under his breath, "We're dead. Bartowski's got a gun."

I turned to look in horror as I saw Chuck at the window–with a gun in his hand. My mind started racing, and I was sure this was Cole, misunderstanding Chuck's role in our team. It was rather careless of him to take off half-cocked to rescue us when he was ordered to stay put, worse for dragging Chuck into it, and abominable that he was counting on Chuck as added fire power for his rescue attempt.

As Duncan was about to fire, Chuck dove in the window, shouting that he was a federal agent. The window fell and smashed against his leg and he fell through the window onto the floor, dropping the gun. I don't know how it was even possible, but the gun discharged when it hit the ground and fired a bullet into Dr. Busgang's knee.

That was the distraction we needed. Casey and I subdued all but one man, who was wrestling with Busgang. Busgang fought him off and hobbled away on his wounded leg. Casey said he would take care of Chuck and told me to go get Perseus.

I ran out into the hallway, running a little faster than I should have been to assure proper coverage. Duncan was on the stairwell below me, and he saw me before I could swing my gun to defend myself. I heard Cole shout my name, then all I felt was his body colliding with mine as we crashed to the ground.

He took a bullet for me, saving my life. But Duncan got away.

Even in that situation, Cole couldn't refuse a sultry line about being too aggressive. It was only then that I realized he had been shot, as his blood was dripping against my skin.

Beckman's orders were to take Cole back to Castle and tend to his wounds there, since his gunshot wound was minor and the hospital would draw unnecessary attention. For the third time, I had to play nurse to his injuries. He never stopped his overbearing flirting with me.

We were close, face to face, when I thanked him for saving my life. I meant it. But I hated that kiss that I had given in to, before he left the last time. I think that sort of gave him more of a reason to believe I wanted more of that. I restrained myself, but Chuck kept seeing us in what appeared to be compromising positions.

If I try to put myself in Chuck's shoes, knowing what he knew, knowing what he saw, I can only imagine how awful it made him feel, thinking I was falling for Cole, for all his Bond-ish charm.

Cole saw how both Chuck and I reacted when he walked in on us like that.

Cole also made it a point to praise Chuck for his heroism during that mission, which I know surprised Chuck. I was surprised that Beckman didn't dress Cole down for his stupidity, but all's well that ends well, right? At least that was Beckman's motto.

I learned during that briefing that nothing about the Intersect's development was contained in the original Intersect. It would explain so much later, about how little we knew about so many things. Namely Chuck's father's involvement. Knowing that was all Orion's doing, it made perfect sense why the information was omitted. Orion went underground when he knew the government was planning on corrupting his work, using it for a purpose he never intended, using it when it had already caused more damage than he could ever hope to undo in his lifetime. But that's for later.

Chuck's desperation to have the Intersect removed, and hope that Perseus knew how to do it, became palpable in that meeting. I think Cole sort of realized at that point that however Chuck ended up being the Intersect, that it wasn't by design. Or, at least, not by Chuck's design, not this time anyway.

Chuck left and we were set to brief a group of agents working in the field looking for Busgang. Once that was over, Cole's wounds needed to be redressed. Once again, the task fell to me.

When I was about to leave his side, he grabbed my arm, the way he had before we kissed. He got all serious, no more silly lines, and said that people like us didn't get the chance to be around people that we cared about, people who really cared about us.

"If we're lucky enough to find that person, are we supposed to just walk away?" he asked me as he sat up, his face close to mine. "Doesn't seem fair, does it?"

"No. Because it isn't."

I was sharp, and then turned and walked away. He meant me, I meant Chuck.

It was only then that Cole really started to believe that it was Chuck that I was referring to, Chuck that was making me act the way that I was. I didn't know it, of course, not until later.

In the interim, Ellie had taken Chuck to the hospital to cast his injured ankle, and Chuck saw Busgang. He called Casey, who then called it in. Casey told him to wait, but, of course, Chuck did not. His motivating factor was getting the Intersect out of his head more than anything else, so I can understand his urgency, if not his carelessness.

Casey located Chuck with his tracker. Cole, Casey and I left to find Chuck and hopefully Perseus at the same time. It was Constellation Sciences, the company that Busgang ran. Probably hoping to grab what he needed before he skipped the country.

The front desk security guard had been shot dead, as we saw as we arrived.

That tiny alarm inside my head started to scream, worrying relentlessly about Chuck, knowing I couldn't get to him fast enough. We were less than a minute behind the Fulcrum agents. We split up.

Cole got to the lab first, not in time to save Perseus, but he did save Chuck. He took another bullet while doing so. I arrived late, shooting Duncan in the back as he stood over both Chuck and Cole, lying side by side on the floor.

I didn't see what had happened before, only the blood on the floor.

"Are you ok?" I yelled frantically.

I knelt between the two men, quickly assessing that the blood was coming from Cole, not Chuck. I could feel Cole, the way he was looking at me, shocked. I overcompensated, tending to him and almost ignoring Chuck, afraid he had seen more than I wanted him to.

Casey called the cleaners and we were back at Castle before evening.

Chuck asked Beckman about Orion. She bold-faced lied to him, saying, and I quote, "As of now, we have no leads, but our best people are working on it." She had been looking for Orion herself for almost 20 years. However, I always believed her when she swore that she had no idea that Orion was Chuck's father. I mean, it made sense. Stephen Bartowski's primary goal was to ensure that his children were protected, so the fact that no one knew who they were only meant he was successful.

Cole gave Chuck a very nice pep talk before he left. I honestly think he really gave Chuck's confidence a boost, at a point when he was feeling quite inadequate.

Chuck did give me this…look…as he was leaving Cole and I alone. He just didn't understand. And there was no way I could make him understand.

Cole made one more, sincere, impassioned plea for me to leave with him.

"I'm not the type of girl who cheats on her cover boyfriend."

"Is that all he is? A cover?"

And there. The million dollar question, asked straight out.

That was only the least of what he was. He was…my everything. Though, telling Cole Barker that would get me nowhere.

"I saw the way you looked at him when his life was in danger."

And that's when I realized he wasn't really asking me to go with him, thinking I would agree. He was trying to get me to admit to myself that I wouldn't leave, ever, because of Chuck.

"When you meet somebody you care about, it's just hard to walk away." I used his words, the truth now plain between the two of us.

He walked away from me, out of my life. But my heart was lighter, if only for the fact that someone knew beside me, how I was feeling inside.

Don't get me wrong–everyone knew. Ellie, Devon, Morgan, Carina, Casey…even Jeff Barnes. Problem was most of them didn't know we were faking what they saw, and Casey…well, Casey was Casey. And Carina was Carina.

But I had just, in a roundabout way, admitted that I loved Chuck to Cole. The part of me that could win the argument, when I would waver, was getting smaller every day. There were only a few weeks left before I started to openly admit my feelings in my video logs. There were also consequences to all that, coming up fast.

I left Castle and I was waiting for Chuck in the courtyard, waiting to talk to him about the plans to move in, especially now that the imminent danger had passed, at least a bit.

He smiled when he saw me. I asked him how his foot was.

He asked me about Cole. Then he started telling me what a good guy he thought Cole was, knowing what I saw in him. I tried to tell him the truth, that Cole and I weren't…anything. But he asked me to let him finish.

He sat beside me, touching me when he sat, though his back was angled a bit away from me. He looked at me out of the corner of his eyes. His expression was intense, but he looked away quickly.

"Sarah, I'm not gonna move in with you. Because I can't. And you know why I can't. I'm crazy about you and I've always been." He laughed over that, probably to ease the tension, though hearing him say it made me swoon, so badly that if I hadn't already been sitting, I would have had to.

"But you know, having a fake relationship, that's one thing. But living together is…I mean, every day being around each other and-and…And that's why I can't do it."

By then, I had looked away, afraid he would see something on my face that I didn't want him to see.

"And I hope you understand."

"I do." What else could I say?

"Thank you." I watched him sling his bag over his shoulder.

"Oh, and uh, just so you know, I am going to get this thing out of my head one day. I will." I had to look away again. "And when I do, I'm going to live the life that I want with the girl that I love. Because I'm not going to let this thing rob me of that. I won't."

And he walked away, leaving me breathless.

It took some time, and lots of twists and turns, but Chuck got what he wanted. Lucky for me.