WITHOUT ME

by mssupertigz

What if Casey followed through on his orders to kill Chuck. What were his reasons and what would it do to his relationship with Sarah. Was killing Chuck the answer or would they give Casey the answers he needed to redeem his actions.

10. Chapter 10

Without Me Ch 10

Chuck felt her fingers move in his. Just the warmth was enough to send butterflies to his stomach. He kissed the back of her head then caressed her hand with his thumb. She turned around and stared at him, giving him a slight sheepish smile. He took his hand and slid it behind the back of her head, leaning in giving her a passionate morning kiss. He broke the kiss while looking at her. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything. What you saw, and me lying there. I can't imagine how it felt."

Sarah lowered her head then looked back at him. He continued. "For saving me, almost weekly. For never giving up on the thought that we could have had something. For being here throughout all of this." Sarah began to cry. "Also thank you for the goats."

Sarah's tears became laughter. Chuck rolled into her. Sarah looked at him and softly spoke. "We can't forget the goats." She brought him close. Their bodies entwined. Their morning love making was intense and most satisfying.

Sarah sat at the table sipping her coffee as Chuck was slower at getting ready for the day. Sarah giggled to herself as she knew the reason why. When she left the bed, Chuck was staring up at the ceiling and she wondered if he had flashed or was comatose. She looked up and saw him walking a bit funny. He grabbed a cup and sat down as she raised her legs and plopped her feet over his legs. She leaned back sipping her coffee. "How are we doing Mr. Bartowski?" Chuck just gave her a smirk then he smiled. He held his cup in one hand and massaged her feet with the other. Sarah started to move her feet up to a certain region as Chuck looked up. "Really?" Sarah bit her lower lip trying to hide her facial expression behind her cup. Sarah got up, walking back to their room. Chuck took a sip and walked quickly over to her. They slipped inside closing the door. Chuck unzipped his jeans so fast Sarah barely had time to get to hers. She shimmied out of her as Chuck lifted her up into his lap taking her over to the wall. She wrapped her legs around him as he leaned into her. They never missed a beat. Chuck held her close as she held on. It was quick but it did the trick. Sarah met his lips as they moved together. Sweat ran down his forehead and down his back. Holding the back of her head and trying not to bang her against the wall. They finished on a high note. They continued to kiss passionately as Chuck lowered Sarah to the floor. As her toes touched the floor, she caressed his face wiping the sweat from his brow. "Love you." Sarah smiling.

"Love you." Chuck giggling.

Chuck kissed her once more as they got dressed and slipped out none the wiser as they resumed sipping their coffees as Casey exited his room and headed to the bathroom as Alexander walked in with a bag of groceries. He smiled when he saw the kids as he called them. "Good morning." Chuck and Sarah both looked up and said good morning. "I'll have breakfast ready in a little bit. Had to go and get some groceries." He came back with the coffee pot and refilled their cups. "Did we sleep well? I heard that it was an eventful day." Chuck looked at Sarah then up at Alexander. "I think we got a lot of answers, but we now have several more." Alexander nodded. "You all got this far you will see the end soon."

Later that morning

Driving back to the CIA, Casey filled them in on what Decker said but especially what Berry said. "So, when will we use that bit of information?" Sarah inquired. "Hopefully soon." Casey added.

The three met with Beckman as she looked at her team. The team she betrayed to save her job. She awkwardly acknowledged them, then thanked them for what they had discovered. No sooner than they accepted her greeting, Bryce showed up. Chuck looked at Bryce still showing his battle wounds from the other day. Chuck felt pretty good looking at him. Bryce looked around at the room and what it looked like. "You went all out Chuck. There's nothing left." Chuck wasn't sure if what he said was a compliment or was it just Bryce being Bryce. Chuck looked at him as he tipped over a smashed computer console with his shoe. "What are you doing here Bryce?" Beckman piped up. "I called him. Because after what transpired yesterday, I figured he needed to know what was going on. As far as we know his role within Fulcrum has not been compromised. With Decker and Berry out of the picture we can look to what Chuck found out yesterday."

Chuck walked into the room looking at what was left. Electronics looking, powerless and computers fried. He walked back to where the rest were standing. When he noticed that Bryce had a file on him. Bryce noticed the stare and passed it to Chuck. Sarah moved in beside him. Chuck chose not to look at it for the moment. He whispered 'Well, look at it later'. Sarah nodded.

Beckman moved the so-called reunion back upstairs as Chuck was shielded heading upstairs and quickly moved into a conference room. As the door closed Zondra walked in. Beckman looked up not too thrilled. Zondra saw her glare and headed towards the door. Chuck looked up. "She stays, without her we wouldn't have found the room, nor would I be able to be sitting heretoday." Chuck continued. "Sarah called her and rescued us outside so we wouldn't get caught. And because Sarah trusts her, I trust her." Beckman watched as Zondra closed the door and motioned for her to stay. Beckman looked at the room. "We are at a crossroad between the CIA and Fulcrum. What Chuck, Sarah, Casey, and Zondra have recently found." Bryce was intrigued. "Decker confirmed who he was working for. Along with a group called the five elders."

Bryce looked at Chuck. "Did he say the five elders." Chuck turned on his chair. "Yeah why?" Bryce continued. "When I first went undercover in their organization the name wasn't mentioned as the five elders but a group that oversaw the whole thing. I remember Tommy mentioning them. That they…." Chuck looked up. "Right when we were in the elevator, and he came after you."

"Yes, they were definitely working in the background. Sight unseen but very powerful. They had to have money and clout. It would be nice to put a face and a name to these people. Have you flashed on these people?" All eyes on him. Chuck swallowed hard. "No, no flash, nothing till Decker mentioned them. And for naming Shaw that was a fluke. I saw his name in one of the files I looked at. He was a graduate from Annapolis University and naval. Code name Blackbriar."

Beckman continued. "Our focus now is to find and coax Shaw out." Chuck sat back taking it all in. Sarah sitting to his left leaned over. "What's that brain of yours thinking?" Chuck looked up. "I don't think we're going at this the right way."

Sarah leaned in. "Why?"

"He's smart."

"And so, are you." Chuck smiled with closed lips. "I don't know. I don't think that finding him and bringing him down is going to cost us anything." Sarah grabbed his hand. "Everything will be fine."

Beckman continued but the room felt that the plan lacked promise. Chuck convinced Beckman to give him a day or so to come up with something. She agreed.

Casey nodded, getting their attention. "We better go." As he checked his watch. "Less eyes on Chuck leaving this place." Chuck got up and grabbed Sarah's hand. Zondra grabbed Sarah's shoulder. "I found another file on Shaw, but it needs to be decrypted. So, I figured that you'd be the one that could handle this."

"Thanks." Sarah hugged Zondra and the three slipped out.

A Day later

Chuck sat in the van in the alley of the CIA looking at the USB that Zondra gave him. Sarah and Casey had other CIA meetings. Chuck chose to stay with Alexander. He opened the file that Bryce gave him. It looked like an updated list of known members of Fulcrum. The elders were still a mystery, but Chuck looked at the list anyway.

Fulcrum agents known so far.

Lizzie Shafai

Mercenary Mr. Colt

Tommy Delgado

Lt. Frank Mauser

Vincent

Fulcrum might be just a small part of a broader organization known as "The Ring." – no intel on this thus far.

Leadership much like the CIA, Fulcrum appears to assign higher-ranking or more experienced handlers to their assets. List is still being figured out. Known leaders so far.

High Leaders: The Five Elders. (location unknown)

Leaders of Fulcrums cells: Ted Roark– involvement unsure

Alexis White – was at initial meeting with Decker.

Tommy Delgado(captured) -

Leader– in the wind identity not known.

Lt. Frank Mauser– involvement just speculations at this point

Duncan (location unknown)

Vincent Smith(location unknown)

Bernie Ominsky(was at meeting /location varies)

Bill Bergey(located DC AREA)

The real identities for the rest of these code names are unknown but their names are under constant surveillance:

Snake Eyes

Angel

Reaver

Singing Banana

Hondo

Brownstone

Fishtail

Greyhound

Chickenhawk

Buckeye

Animal Mother

Lightweight

Turtle dove

Matchmaker

Island Hopper

Mountaineer

Arclight

Steelbottom

Coho

Rapunzel

Please note that these Fulcrum agents are working under these alias inside the US government agencies like the NSA, CIA, DHS, and others.

Possible Fulcrum bases - Strength Leader Corporation - A front for Fulcrum recruiting but is heavily guarded. Black Rock, Secret base in Barstow, California. Location unknown; W.T. Energy Corp, Lateral Energies Inc, Barak Mobility, AKBAR Energy Resources, Teveron Consulting, Holloway Corporation, Penumbra Cable

Chuck grabs a pen and makes some notes. While talking to himself.

Hit all the buildings at one time.

Locate Fulcrum agents within these organizations – gather them all up.

Figure out where Shaw is.

His mind hits a brick wall. He closes the file as Alexander watches. "Mind fried?"

"More or less." Alexander chuckles. "Maybe take a look at the USB. You have been staring at that for a while."

"Maybe you're right."

"You think that there's something on it?"

"Maybe, Zondra said it's cryptic, which means that there has to be something on here that is important enough to decrypt it."

Chuck opened the door and stepped outside. "Just getting some fresh air." Chuck stood in front of the side door with the view of the inside of the van. Alexander watched from the driver's side. Alexander didn't want to seem to be too overprotective, so he didn't say anything. Chuck was just stretching.

Casey and Sarah walked the tunnel like they usually did. They reached the exit and as Casey opened the door and saw the van, he turned his face to see someone behind Sarah. He looked up to see Chuck standing there then looked again at Sarah. He yelled at Sarah, then pushed Chuck back into the van and ordered Alexander to go. "Go go go!" Casey slammed the door shut as Casey turned to find Sarah being grabbed and dragged. Alexander sped out of the alley as Chuck was trying to sit up as the van was speeding through the parking lot and onto the street, yelling and trying to see outside at what was happening.

Casey entered back into the doorway seeing Sarah struggling. Casey pointing his gun. Sarah is struggling. The voice bellows, "Put your gun down Major. I'm surprised that you have a gun on you."

"Always come prepared. You know me who are you?"

"Not important." Sarah trying to get loose. "Save your heroism, Major. You want Chuck to stay alive. You will let me go with Ms. Walker. I will make sure she is taken care of."

Sarah nodded telling Casey that it was okay to let her go. Sarah knew she was not going to be harmed yet and she didn't want to escalate the situation more than it was. Casey held his gun ready to shoot. The man dragged Sarah off. The voice called down within the tunnel. "I will be in touch." Then silence. Casey walked through the tunnel gun pointed to see if he could see Sarah. He saw no indication that Sarah was still there. He headed to the main door and called a cab. He didn't want to alarm Beckman yet. He needed access to the cameras. This person knew the layout too well.

Alexander entered the warehouse forcing Chuck upstairs. "We need to go back."

"And what would we do then? You are supposed to be dead. And whatever Casey saw you were the priority and nothing else."

An hour later

Casey showed up. Chuck ran to the door not seeing Sarah. He doubled checked just in case. He turned to face Casey and the way he looked at him he could tell he didn't have good news. "Where's Sarah, Casey?" His voice cracking as he repeated his question. "Where's Sarah?" Casey didn't answer so Chuck charged the door as Casey pulled him back. "She told me to go to save you."

"Where is she?"

Chuck hollering. "Sarah!" Casey continued to hold Chuck but eased off because he knew that Chuck could flash, and he'd be down on the ground. With a tender squeeze on his shoulder Casey spoke. "Let me explain."

Chuck turned around. Casey looked at him. "Someone came up behind us in the tunnel and grabbed Sarah as we approached the door. You were the priority, so I shoved you back. When I turned back Sarah was in a choke hold."

"Who has her?"

"He didn't give a name, but he said he was going to take Sarah to keep you alive. Sarah told me to go."

Chuck threw a chair. "You know her, she wouldn't say what she said if she didn't have it under control. She's a good agent and you need to remember that."

Chuck turned to face him. "You left her!" Chuck kicked the chair he had just thrown and headed upstairs.

Alexander came up beside Casey. "Do you know who he is?"

"Not a clue and that worries me. If he knows about Chuck who else knows."

Casey walked over to the laptop and grabbed his phone and called Zondra.

Zondra linked him into the surveillance feed and kept the line open. "I would say he had to come in after we left the main area."

Zondra scanning the feed. "There you two are, bottom left."

"I see us. Okay, see who is beside us."

Casey watches as Zondra moves the camera to scan the whole area. Then stops. "Casey your six, a man has been walking close to you and Sarah for some time."

Casey scans the screen. "I see him, can you get a visual?"

Casey watches as Zondra zooms in on the person. "No, he seems to know where the cameras are?"

Casey grunts. "Do you have him coming out of the exit to the tunnels? Is there anyone coming in or out near the tunnel exit?"

"How long were you two inside?"

"Maybe an hour so we will need to scan the time before that and after we left which was over an hour ago. That gives us a three-hour window give or take."

"Give me some time and I will get back to you."

Casey didn't want to stop but he had no choice. He headed upstairs to talk to Chuck.

Sarah woke up to find herself in what looked like a boiler room. Almost military like. She stretched back to see if she could see down the long corridor but all she saw was pipes and vents. She tried to swallow but her throat was dry. 'Probably drugged?' She heard someone coming, she stayed calm, he didn't seem like a threat but that could change knowing that she was on his territory. He brought her here for a reason, she just had to find out why.

Sarah waited as the sound came closer and a man appeared. He made sure she didn't see his face. He was Caucasian and was quite tall based on how he moved around. He gave her some water which she thanked him for. He placed the bottle on the table. He said nothing till he walked out of the room. "It's a pleasure Agent Walker."

Casey opened the door to the outside. He could see why Chuck and Sarah came out here. You could see a lot of DC from the roof. Chuck was dangling over the edge of the smaller overhang staring out to the skyline. Casey coughed not to startle him. "I have Zondra looking at the feeds to see where this man came from."

Chuck never answered.

"We will find her. And you know that Sarah wouldn't."

"I know, I'm sorry. It's just that she's been through so much now, all because of me.

"Don't go there. You can't blame yourself for what transpires.,"

"I can, if it wasn't for this thing, none of us would be here."

"True but think about it Chuck. If this didn't happen, just saying would you and Sarah be where you are right now. Without her and feeling helpless, it is the same feeling she had knowing that you were gone, and not having you there. Sometimes bad things happen in order for good things to happen. You two would eventually be something, it was just the matter when. This will they, won't they was kind of nauseating. Chuck kind of laughed.

The two had sat outside for some time when Chuck's phone rang.

He grabbed it and swiped. "Sarah?"

"No."

"General."

"Sorry General, I thought that…"

"It's okay, we have every agent looking for Sarah, but on another note, I got a call from the Central Detention Facility." Chuck's face turned white. Casey walked closer. He put the call on speaker. Beckman continued. "I got a call from the warden stating that Decker wants to meet with you and only you. Our people tried to get information from him, but he said he would only talk to you."

"Did he say why or when?"

"Whenever you can get down there. I will have to make some calls and verify that your who you say you are."

Chuck had nothing to lose. "Okay set it up."

Casey looked at Chuck. "Too coincidental?"

"Maybe, I'll do anything to get Sarah back."

Alexander drove Casey and Chuck to the Central Detention Facility. Beckman was waiting at the front desk. Beckman turned to face the desk clerk, verifying Chuck as Casey showed his credentials. Chuck sat down nervously in the waiting area looking around wishing Sarah was there with him. He looked up seeing Casey, which helped but it wasn't the same. Chuck could hear the metal doors opening down the hall then closing then another set opening and closing only to see Decker chained and cuffed. Chuck was escorted to a small room with a small window with a steel grate over it. He walked in seeing a metal table and two metal chairs. Chuck walked in after Decker was secured in his seat. Seeing him sitting there was a far cry from seeing him in his tailored suits and styled hair. He looked tired and older than he did the last time Chuck had seen him. He then moved in his seat making his chains clang. The one guard still in the room stood behind him in close proximity. "Charles." Chuck didn't reply. "I'm glad you decided to come and see me." "I didn't have a choice." "You always have a choice. You came because you're curious too, why I wanted to see you and what I have to say. I would too if I were you."

Chuck looked at him. "Please share."

"Shaw."

Chuck sat up straighter. Decker chuckled. "I am assuming that you're going after Shaw. I just thought I'd help you." "In return you want?" "Haven't decided, but what I have will definitely help you take him down. I have been hanging on to it in case something like this happened." Chuck wondered if Decker knew that Sarah had been taken. But as soon as the thought passed there was a knock at the door. The guard opened the door. Casey looked getting Chuck's attention. Chuck stood up and walked to the door, stepping outside.

"Just got a visual from Zondra. Do you recognize this man?"

Casey showed him a still shot and Chuck instantly flashed.

Shaw taught at United States Military Academy at West Point. His flash continued.

"Daniel Shaw. He took Sarah?"

"It looks like it."

"Well, that's what Decker just asked me."

"Okay, we're getting somewhere, see what he has to say."

Chuck walked back in. "Sorry about that, Casey just missed me."

Chuck sat down. "You were saying something about Shaw? Does he know you're in here?"

"No, I haven't talked to him. As far as he knows I'm still in DC working on the new Intersect. Chuck thought to himself. 'Someone else had to tell him.'

Chuck definitely wanted to know what Decker had to say.

Chuck looked at him, waiting for him to start talking. "I have in my possession a device."

"A device?"

"It is called the Macau Device; it is capable of storing large amounts of data into one drive. Instead of several smaller drives. Shaw's plan if he got a hold of the device was to upload." "Upload all the files that the new intersect was going to do and put in the device so that he could upload the device himself."

Decker smirked. "Impressive." Chuck grunted. "So where is this device?"

"What do I get in return?"

"I will talk to General Beckman and see what warrants changes in your charges if you help us out."

Decker wasn't convinced. Chuck looked at him. "You just have to trust me. That is all I can do for now."

"He has her, doesn't he?"

Chuck never looked at him. "My focus is getting Agent Walker back and taking down Shaw for starting all of this. So, if your help does help us, I will try my best to see that you get a fair share."

Decker didn't budge. Chuck got up. "Okay forget it. This was a waste of time." Chuck pushed his chair in and started to walk away. Reaching for the door the guard stepped towards Decker. "It's in a secure part of Omega level 5 downtown LA. It's next to my office. Once you enter there is an accessed keypad. The code is 67823." Chuck quickly memorized it. Then the doors will open, you will have access to what looks like a safe deposit box. The drawer is A13."

Chuck reaches the door. "One more thing, it's highly guarded. Many eyes are watching this thing. It would take some skill to not be seen entering this place unless you wanted to be seen."

"Thankyou."

As Chuck closed the door and walked out.

Chuck turned his phone on to see a video message from an unknown number.

He clicks on it. He watches. "Hello, Chuck. I am guessing that you already know who I am since I have Ms. Walker. She is such a delight. You're going to do exactly what I say, or someone will suffer the consequences. I will call you in one hour after you receiving this. I can't wait for us to chat."

The line went dead. Chuck looked up. "Who was that?" Casey walking towards him.

"That was Shaw. We have an hour."

Alexander drove them back home as Chuck got ready for the call. He set up tracking and grid to pinpoint where the call was coming from. Sarah had been gone for most of the day and the longer she was gone the faster the thoughts and fears shadowed Chuck. Chuck sat at the computer looking into ways to get into Decker's office. Casey sat down beside him. "You know you can't go in there?"

Chuck looked at him. "And why not?"

"Because your dead."

Chuck was tired of playing dead. "So, what do you recommend. I must go there and retrieve the device."

"Not on my watch, we will find another way."

Just then Alexander went to the door and slid it open. There stood Bryce. He looked inside. "I'm here to help. Just heard about Sarah."

Chuck looked at Bryce as he walked in then sat down. "What can I do?"

Chuck called his dad and had him bring some items over. An hour later his dad showed up. The men stood around the table. "I am hoping that this will work as I can't be seen in public yet. Bryce has offered to help us, so Bryce I am depending on you to come through on this."

Bryce nodded. He owed Chuck that much.

"Casey and Bryce will take the jet and fly to LA and head to Decker's office which is in the CIA building downtown. Once you two arrive you will head up to level 5, it will be heavily guarded, but my dad was able to bring a device that allows you to maneuver through the building quite nicely. Once you arrive there is a code and hopefully it does the trick. Bryce you will wear these." Stephen gave Chuck a pair of glasses. As Chuck held them. "Bryce you will wear these and I will be able to see everything you see. Also, you will wear this."

Chuck gave the items to Bryce. "The glasses you will wear, and this device will sit just under your chin. It will allow me to insert my face so that the camera will think it's me. I have a hunch that Shaw is also looking for this. And because I feel like gambling, I will make him think that it's me. Let me know when you arrive."

Casey grabbed his gear and Bryce, and they headed out. Alexander came and stood beside Chuck and Stephen.

"Now what?" asked Alexander.

"We wait for his call. At least we will have a head start."

"Do you think he'll want the device?" Stephen now inquiring.

"If Decker has been holding onto it then yes, he'll try and get it. I'm just surprised that Decker is bringing this up now?"

Stephen looked at his son. "Can't trust anyone in this line of work. Decker, he might think that he has the upper hand by withholding this device from Shaw but if Shaw is the one behind all of this, he already knows that this device exists."

"Maybe, or maybe he's been looking for this device and couldn't find it because it was locked away?" Stephen replied.

Chuck walked away leaving the dad's staring.

"He's stubborn."

"Yes, he is, he gets it from his mom."

The men laugh.

Chuck grabbed some water when he heard the computer beeping.

Chuck clicks on the link and there is Shaw. He turns up the volume. "Hello again Chuck."

"Shaw. Where is Agent Walker?"

"Oh, she's fine, feisty but fine."

"I want to see for myself." Shaw moved the camera to his left, allowing Chuck to see Sarah. She looked calm, that was her skill. He smiled and she smiled back. "I'll see you soon."

Sarah nodded.

"Awe, too cute."

Shaw turned the camera back to him. "If you want to see Agent Walker again you will do what I ask."

"And that is?"

"I want you to find something for me and I want you to retrieve it."

"I'm not the lost and found."

"No, but you are the human intersect."

Chuck's face went still.

"Yes, I know about you, and I know that your life was spared after my guy Decker gave the order to Beckman then to Casey to end you. But Casey had a heart and kept you alive. So, I will use you anyway I like." His tone sharpened.

"You will go and find a device called the Macau device. I know you're good at that kind of stuff. Once I see that you have done what I ask I will then let Agent Walker go."

Chuck looked at the man who was behind all if this. And so far, he believed that he was ahead of the game, calling all the shots, thinking that his plan was going smoothly. But thanks to Casey his plans had changed. Yes, he still held the right chess pieces in this game, but Chuck was smart. He felt pretty good at the fact that his team was already on their way to retrieve the device. Maybe he should thank Decker for helping. But again, he was just saving his ass in all of this.

Chuck focused on Shaw again, but his eyes were on Sarah. She glanced a few times and her smile, even though it was covered, he could still see it. "So, this device? What does it look like?"

"That's not my concern, you just need to find it."

"How long do I have?

"Well, I know you're in DC and it's not here. I checked, so the other option is LA. I will give you till tomorrow this time. That will allow flying time there and back, give or take time for traffic. Call me when you have it, and we will discuss the next move."

Chuck was about to speak when the line went dead.

Chuck looked at Stephen as he was typing. Chuck leaned over to get a look. "He is using a triangular system that is bouncing off several towers."

"Well, he's definitely not in Spain." Chuck adding.

"No, but his program is clever in that you get frustrated waiting to see where he actually is."

"So where is he?"

"Somewhere in this area." His dad still typing.

Chuck looked at the screen and the area was still a large chunk of DC. "Well at least he's still here. But what I find interesting is this." Stephen pointed at the screen. "If I do a tomograph of the area this is what I get."

Chuck watched as the signal levelled off almost disappearing. "Is he underground?"

"Could be."

Chuck grabbed a chair and did a search of the area looking for anything that could be a place where Sarah could be.

Hours later Casey called as they were approaching the building. Chuck informed him of the call from Shaw. Casey told Chuck that it was a good guess that Shaw would want the device. Bryce got ready and turned on the equipment. "Okay I am seeing everything you're seeing. Now just adjust the collar slightly."

Bryce adjusted the collar allowing Chuck to format his face over what the camera was seeing. Stephen sat down beside Chuck watching the feed live just in case Bryce's face appeared. Alexander took over Chuck's search of the area, looking for some place that Shaw would use as a hideout.

Chuck watched the feed as Bryce flirted with the ladies as they walked in. Many are so happy to see him. Casey looks at the camera. "This is what I have to work with?"

Chuck laughs. Casey then grabs Bryce, and they head to level five.

"Heads up guys, Shaw might be watching."

Casey nodded at the closest camera. They reached level five. "Chuck there's a scanner with a keypad." Casey had Bryce stand in front as Bryce entered the code that Chuck had memorized, and the doors opened. "Good job Chuck."

Chuck shook his head, as he congratulated himself. It wouldn't be the worst thing. They entered the foyer. "He said that the room is next to his office." Chuck repeating the instructions.

"All I see is a copier room." Bryce relaying.

"Then you go there." Chuck added.

Bryce turned and walked towards the copier room, but it wasn't a copier room but a mechanical room full of computers. "Okay Bryce look for a scanner or keypad."

Bryce found the keypad and typed in the code that Decker gave him. In seconds, a door slid open displaying a black handheld device. Bryce held it up. "It has to be it. Good job. See you when you get home."

Chuck watched as Casey and Bryce slipped out of the building. Chuck disconnected his feed not to leave a trace.

Early the next morning

Casey and Bryce returned from L.A.. Chuck stared at the device then gave it to his dad. "What do you think?"

Stephen connected it to his computer uploading its data. He scanned the intel and the data that they used. "Not bad for amateurs."

Chuck intrigued. "They were that close?"

Stephen nodded.

Chuck felt sick.

Stephen looked at his son. "But we will fix this so no one will be able to upload the intersect again, or for a very long time, if ever."

"But we can't give Shaw this."

"No, but we will make him think that he is getting the real one."

Chuck smiled one of the biggest smiles he hadn't shown in some time. He sat up and grabbed his computer, while Stephen translated the commands to alter the upload. "Chuck, in theory what we are doing would be the same if you were going to upload the intersect but instead of getting the actual data you will be de intersecting the data."

"Make him think that he is getting the intel but in reality, he's not." Stephen smiled at his son.

Chuck took the glasses from Bryce and reprogramed them to run off the device. He added a few snippets of commercials and other things just to mess with his head. Chuck wouldn't want to burden anyone with uploading this especially for the one person who doesn't deserve it. At least with Chuck being the only one, he knew how it was going to be used. And being protected by Sarah made the task less daunting.

Sarah tried to stay awake as she had to keep her eye on Shaw. "Your boyfriend better come through."

Sarah never responded. Shaw turned around. "Yeah, I know he is more than an asset, he always was. I have been looking into the whereabouts of the intersect since Bryce stole it from the DNI and he didn't have me fool that he was working for us. He sure had Decker fooled, that's for sure."

"So, what are you going to do with the device when you get it?"

Shaw turned around. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Shaw went back to fiddling with the computer.

Alexander yells. "Yahoo!" Waking up the room. Chuck startled out of his attempts to get some sleep looking at him. "What?"

"I found out where Shaw is."

Casey came running out as Bryce took his time. Stephen followed.

Alexander pulled up the location.

Chuck stared at the place.

"What is it?"

"It's an old substation use in the 1960's. I remember it now. When we were having issues with the Cubans. The Government set up these underground stations to protect their infrastructure in case we were bombed. This substation provided energy to most of northern DC. When developed exceeded its capacity they built these substations elsewhere."

"So, it is inactive?"

"Yes and no. There is a large consumption of power coming from there. But not enough to trigger any alarms."

"Access?"

Alexander brought up an aerial map then a street map and placed them side by side. "There is a street access off this street, and I believe a covered one from this point. It was an old reservoir access, but it might be the fastest and less security going in that way."

Chuck looked at the room. "Let's put an end to this."

Stephen smiled at his son and how far he had come. He padded his shoulder and whispered. "Let's go get Sarah back."

Chuck smiled.

Chuck and Casey headed down to the reservoir as Bryce, Alexander and Stephen waited near the street entrance, ready to enter if needed. Chuck found the entrance and it reminded him of the access door in the movie Demolition Man. "Hey Casey, did you ever see Demolition Man?"

Casey grunted. Chuck looked at him. "You did, didn't you."

Casey avoided making eye contact. Chuck laughed as he opened the hatch. Casey held it open as Chuck went first then Casey followed, closing the door, and inserting a stick not to close it. The further they walked into the substation the more Casey grunted. "Are you Wesley Snipes or Sylvester Stallone?"

"Neither."

Casey pointed at his gun pushing Chuck to move. Chuck has Casey go left as Chuck goes right. Either way they would reach the end. Chuck comes to an end quicker than he thought. He sees Sarah, as his heart skips a beat. Sarah instinctively looks up as if she sensed his presence. She tilts her head to indicate that Shaw was close by. Chuck showed her the device. She nodded.

He calls down the tunnel.

Chuck sets his eye on Sarah but is stopped by Shaw pointing a gun at her. Chuck backs off. "Eager, are we?" Shaw being cocky.
"I rather be done with this."

"Me too. Did you bring me what I asked for?"

"I did."

"Slide it over." Chuck squats and slides it over. He winks at Sarah. She had seen that look before. It meant that he had a plan.

Chuck stood up. "Okay you have what you wanted me to get you, so please release Sarah."

"Not yet." Chuck watched as Shaw grabbed a pair of sunglasses and connected them to the device. "Once I know it works, we can work out the rest." Chuck waited. He watched as Shaw slid the glasses on. He had never seen another person go through the upload process. He just hope that the changes his dad and him made were going to work. Chuck couldn't let the world suffer with Shaw at its reigns.

Shaw paused then looked at Chuck. Sarcastically he spoke. "Thank you for your service but the whole reason why this whole thing started was that we couldn't have two intersects coexisting together, so getting rid of you was step one. But Graham got in the way, so I had to act fast. So, I had my people like Berry create a dud with a virus that oops killed him. I couldn't let him and your people."

Chuck intersected. "My people." Shaw turned and yelled. "Yes, your people. The ones that have been running and operating the CIA and burning it to the ground. What we believe is the true patriotic reasons that the CIA should present itself and be taken out of the hands from people like you." Chuck looked back, stunned as he shared looks with Sarah. Shaw paused again, walking over to Sarah as he took out a knife and dragged it along the chair and down her arm. Chuck choked. He slowly slid the blade under the tie and flicked it releasing her one arm. He stopped then put the knife down. Sarah waited till he walked away, scooting over and releasing her other arm. Shaw went back to the device. He took one last look at Chuck. "Thank you for your service." Then he slipped the glasses on. Chuck yelled at Sarah to move away. Sarah ran behind Chuck as Shaw stood motionless as the process began. Chuck was ready as well. He just hoped that his plan was going to work. Shaw wavered back and forth. Chuck remembered the first time he uploaded the intersect and how he stood for hours he thought, before he fell backwards and woke up. Shaw's head goes back. The euphoria of the initial upload. He thinks he has done it. Chuck waits and watches. Waiting for the change to come. He shields Sarah just in case he has to flash and fight. Shaw snaps out of his upload with a smirk on his face. He looks at Chuck and Sarah with such evil. The process seemed to take forever. But like a switch Shaw came out of his flash and looked at Chuck and Sarah. "Look at what I have been missing. Is it like, that all the time?" Chuck ignored him till Shaw pointed a gun at him. "Again, Chuck thanks for your service." He aimed the gun as Sarah moved in. Chuck stood firm. "You're sure you want to end this with a gun fight?" He looked at Sarah with wide eyes.

"Yeah, a gun fight."

"Wouldn't you prefer to enjoy the process of killing me with your bare hands." Shaw smirked. Chuck favoring his ego. "Intersect against intersect." Shaw took a stance and faced Chuck. "You sure you want to fight?" Chuck gave him a look of pure confidence. "Whatever it takes." Sarah squeezed his arm. She whispered. "You're sure." He looked at her and sweetly kissed her lips. "I am. I love you."

"I love you too."

Shaw looked at the gun "It would be faster, but I guess it would give me the satisfaction of killing you."

"I guess you're right." Shaw moves his hand away from the gun and charges Chuck. Chuck runs and slides passing by Shaw to come up the other side throwing a hard punch. Shaw turns back facing Chuck grabbing his chin.
"Ouch!"

They throw punches and wrestle, as Chuck seems to be losing this battle.

Sarah looks onwards fearing that the new upload is much stronger than the one that Chuck has. And she wasn't sure what the last upload that Bryce gave him did or if it would be helpful at this point. What it looked like was that Chuck was getting his ass kicked. Both men had equally thrown or, received hits that would make the average person fall. They were both determined to win, each for their own reasons.

Chuck throws another but Shaw throws a hard closed punch to Chuck's chest. He falls back as Shaw hovers over him, throwing punches as Chuck tries to catch his breath. Squeezing out the words. "Any time now."

Shaw throws another punch as Chuck rolls making his hand hit the floor. He falls holding his hand. Chuck gets up. He faces Shaw as he gets up knowing that he has to use his other hand. Shaw charges Chuck then stops as there seems to be something wrong. Chuck tries to stand as he holds his chest. Sarah looks at him. But he looked at Shaw when he spoke frantically. "What's happening?"

Chuck looked at him. "Retribution." Shaw charges Chuck but his feet feel like they are in cement, his body slowing down. "What's going on?" Chuck looks down at him as Shaw is bent forward with his hands on his knees. "The intersect. What's happening to it." Chuck looks at him. "Is there something wrong?"

"I can't flash."

"Awe really?"

"It's supposed to work. It's supposed to be better than."

"Then what? Daniel." Daniel stood up. "What did you do?"

"Something that hopefully for the last time as there can only be one intersect, Daniel." Chuck leaned forward in pain, but it was so worth it. "It's makeup and components are only design for one person, me. Yes, you were so close to getting your own intersect, to control and puppetry the CIA at your beckon call. But you forgot who you were dealing with. That credit goes to my dad. Stephen J Bartowski. What you're seeing is what I call bifurcate which means to be parted from a mass or group. Which I find fitting. I reprogrammed the Macau, deactivating the intersect. That's my gift to you." Chuck turned to face Shaw. "Never underestimate a nerd. You will no longer see the light of day or maybe you'll forget what fresh air smells like. Also, I can finally live again. Something that you thought was the thing to do. You almost stole my life. But my team never gave up on me." Chuck looked at Sarah. Shaw held his head. Chuck looked at him. "Oh that, possible side effects of having too much of an upload that your brain can't handle it. But you'll have time to rest." Just then Casey walked in with other military officers and gladly took Shaw out. Sarah faces Chuck as he wraps his arms around her. She whispers. "It's over." Chuck snuggled inside her neck, holding her tight.

Chuck gets checked out, which was an order from Beckman. Sarah walked into the hospital room seeing Chuck place an ice pack on his chest displaying a large fist size bruise. Sarah walked up to him. "Let's go home."

"Yes."

Chuck showered and was drying off when Sarah walked in with a tray of food. She walked up to him and stood in front of him. She grabbed the towel and dabbed his chest then placed her lips on his chest where the bruise was still quite defined.

Chuck shuddered. "You know if you continue there's going to be a situation. The doctor told me to refrain from any physical exertion till this bruise heals."

Sarah kissed him once more. Then looked up at him. "What if your plan didn't work."

Chuck walked away putting his shirt on.

"It worked and we are done with all of this. Why the doubt?"

"Chuck."

He turned to face her.

"Sarah, your right, it was possible that it wouldn't work but I had faith that my dad knew what he was doing. It just took a little while to kick in. I had to go with my father's words. That he was always looking out for me, for Ellie. This whole thing which has had me in a vice grip of fear and anxiety, and now for the first time I can be okay with this." As he looked at Sarah. "Until I am no longer the one holding onto this, and we know that the Intersect is going to be in safe hands, whenever that will be. It will be me and." Chuck held out his hand. "And my protector, my best friend, the woman I love. The fearless Sarah Walker. That's if she is still willing to ride this ride with me and not without me."

Sarah held back a tear and fell into his arms.

Days later

Chuck sat on the couch enjoying some quiet time with Sarah. Casey and Alexander decided to take a long overdue break and Sarah could handle taking care of Chuck. They had made some popcorn and settled on the couch, which wasn't much but it did allow them to be as close to each other as they could. Chuck placed his laptop on the makeshift table and pressed play. Sarah wanted to watch one of the movies Chuck had suggested before all of this hell happened. Chuck scrolled through his list till he got one that peeked Sarah's interest. Adventures in Babysitting. Sarah covered them up as Chuck placed the bowl of freshly popped popcorn made from a pot on the stove. She had not had anything like that in a very long time. Chuck looked over watching Sarah watching the movie and his heart swelled with every single feeling he had for her.

Casey walked in carrying a handful of papers. Chuck and Sarah released their hold. Sarah looked at the pile. She held them up. Then smiled. "Chuck your alive again officially."

Chuck grabbed the papers and saw that his life was as it was. "Thanks guys."

"Let's get you home." Casey added lightning up a cigar.

Ellie was tickled pink when she got a call from Chuck telling her he was on his way home and that he had a surprise for her. Stephen agreed to come back to LA along with Alexander. Chuck and Sarah rolled his bags up to the door. He turned to face her. "You know, you can come in." Chuck holding her hand.

"I know, but this is a family reunion."

"You are family."

Sarah smiled then kissed Chuck. "I'll see you later."

Chuck opened the door seeing Ellie. Ellie ran to her little brother then hugged him. "Ellie, I have a surprise for you." Chuck moved to the side as Stephen came into view. Ellie looked at her brother then at her dad.

Ellie walked over to him. "Elenor."

"Dad."

Chuck basked in the reunion.

Chuck entered the apartment as Ellie and their dad caught up. Chuck stared at the spot on the floor where he was standing and Casey pointing a gun at him. He tried to shrug it off but there were too many emotions.

Once his family was sleeping, he grabbed a taxi and headed to the one place where he'd find some peace. He walked through the hall knocking on her door. She opened the door and wasn't surprised to see him. He walked in and as she closed the door he fell into her arms. Sarah held him close. "I'm sorry, it's late but I can't be there, everywhere I look I see Casey."

"It's okay."

Sarah continued to hold him close. She kissed his cheek then slipping to the other side to kiss his other cheek, their lips met. Chuck slipped his arms around her, as her top shifted. Her bare skin calling his name. Chuck slipped his coat off moving towards the bed. Sarah pulled Chuck's shirt off seeing the bruise. She gave it a deep kiss, making Chuck fall back. He grabbed her face, bringing her into a passionate kiss. They fell onto the bed. The world stood still as they professed their love. The last few months were no longer a worry no was there a threat at least for now. As they were in their little world, expressing their love, they knew that there were always going to be dangers out there, but they knew that together they would come out on top.