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.

6. Chapter 6

Without me Ch 6

Long awaited chapter 6 – Thanks for sticking around, life always seems to put speed bumps in the writing department. Better late than never. Enjoy Mssupertigz.

Chuck looked up hearing those words again. "You must be Chuck." Casey extended his arm instinctively to block Chuck from any imminent harm as Chuck stood up. He looked at the woman standing in front of him and flashed ' Zondra Rizzo fourth member the Clandestine Attack Team.' Casey looked at her, recognizing who she was. "What rock did you crawl out of?" "Nice to see you too John." Casey grunted.

"Zondra." Chuck stammered.

She stood more into the doorway. "I'm not here for my health, but as a favour well sort of, blondie called. Well, she went through some deep channels to get a hold of me, not leaving a trail. You're sure not what I expected her type to be."

Chuck straightened his back. "Sarah called you?"

"More like pleaded." Sarcastically chuckling as Zondra looked around at her surroundings.

"Sarah, no." Chuck whispered to himself.

"Just kidding, she needed a favour and called me. But what ever you're into or going to do it can't be done here. We will meet at Rosie's at 8." Casey nodded and leaned down to grab his gear.

Chuck looked at his watch. It was a little past five.

Zondra continued talking. "Come with me and don't touch anything."

Chuck made a face as Casey grunted. "Chuck not touch anything, that would be the day, ha haha."

Zondra led them down a stairwell, then through a under ground tunnel. She stopped halfway. "This is as far as I can go before security gets wind of my whereabouts." Zondra pointed past them. "You two head up this way for about 100 feet then take the left stairs and you'll reach the outside. I'll see you at 8."

Chuck looked at her as she headed back the way they came. Then looked at Casey. "Don't give me that look, did you expect Sarah to just sit and wait."

"No, but can we trust her?"

"If Walker called her, she must be the only person we can trust."

Chuck's worry was written all over his face and nothing Casey could say would make it better. They reached the stairs and ascended up reaching the door. As the door opened, Casey cautiously peeked out hoping that it wasn't a trap. Casey went first and looked around then snapped his fingers as Chuck followed. They walked into the same place they were earlier. Casey hailed a cab and the two headed back to their hotel.

8:00 Rosie's Diner

Chuck and Casey leaned against a building kiddy corner across from Rosie's Diner making sure that again it wasn't a trap. Casey checked his watch and motioned to Chuck as they saw Zondra walking keeping towards the door and keeping an eye on who was near her as she entered the diner. They acknowledge each other and found a booth. Chuck slide in first with Casey sitting on the edge. Zondra slipped in on the other side. Zondra gave Chuck the look over as Chuck stared back at her trying to figure out why she would want to help them out, as well as what Sarah was going through.

Zondra welcomed the coffee and ordered something to eat along with Chuck and Casey. As they ate there was little talk between them but when Chuck finished eating and pushed his plate forward, Zondra slid her hand into her pocket and passed Chuck a burner phone. Then slid Casey some id passes. Chuck looked at the phone. "Call the blonde. I'm tired of taking messages." Chuck nervously took the burner then smiled. She looked back towards Casey. "I can get you both in Casey." Casey grunted. "We appreciate this."

"Walker said it was the utmost importance, John."

"It is." He stood up allowing Chuck to slide out finding a seat in the back.

Zondra looks at where Chuck went to sit. "So, Walker and the nerd?" As she sits back facing Casey.

"Trust me I'm still figuring it out. But what they have works. Saw it the first day they met. I'm pretty sure they fell for each other then."

"So why was she."

"She was his handler, long story but someone in the CIA wanted him dead. So as far as they know he is."

"You killed him!"

"I took him out to save his life. We just need to find out who gave the kill order and why." Zondra and Casey continue to talk.

Chuck found as seat and sat down and dialed the last number.

Nicaragua

Sarah pulled the towel from her hair tossing it on the cots. Staring at them and thinking of Chuck and their last time together before he left. She missed him, ached for him and remembering how she felt when they were making love. She grabbed her cell and headed in to see if Alexander had found anything. Sarah was walking down towards the main tent when she heard her cell ring. She looked at the id and saw that it was a new unknown number. Sarah cautiously answered. "Hello?"

"Sarah, (Chuck paused) so good to hear your voice."

"Chuck?"

"Hey babe?"

Sarah smiled inwardly. Finding a place to sit down.

"Zon-dra?" as Chuck drew her name out.

"I'm sorry for asking Zondra for help. But I couldn't just sit here and do nothing.

" It's ok babe. This might be a good thing. How are you?"

Sarah paused. "Not good cause you're there and I am here."

"I know I don't like it either. So back to Zondra? She's something." Sarah didn't want to ask if he flashed on her but Chuck answered for her. " And I thought that Carina had an interesting past. So, she's the other CAT."

" Yeah, and I didn't know who I could trust."

"It's fine Sarah." Sarah could hear it in his voice that he was ok with it what had happened but she knew all to well that if he was truthful, he wasn't completely fine with it.

Chuck returned to the table and placed the phone down. "It's yours while you're here." Zondra replied.

Chuck slid it into his pocket. Then took the last swig of his coffee.

"Sarah good?"

"Yeah, just missing everything, you know."

"That's one thing about Walker, she likes to be kept busy."

Chuck went quiet then excused himself.

Casey looked at Zondra, "Thanks for this."

"He's not one of us, is he?

"No, but he's a close second." Casey wasn't sure why he said it, as Chuck was far from being a spy, but what he had acquired in the last year and a half, made him more of an agent than anyone he had worked with. Or was it Casey's way of allowing him to heal over the fact that he had shot him.

Sarah put her phone into her back pocket and sat back. She loved hearing his voice but she wished she were looking at him. Alexander walked over to the outside screen and looked down the path seeing Sarah sitting in the dark. He grabbed a few cold drinks and walked out towards her. "Something to drink?"

Sarah smiled and nodded. Alexander sat down and passed her a drink. "You talked to Chuck?"

"Yeah, they met up with someone I hope can help them out."

"You found someone?"

Sarah tried to justify why she did what she did. "I couldn't just sit here and do nothing."

"I wouldn't think that you would. I have come to the conclusion that you would move mountains for people you care about and that your training, and life experiences have, made you the person you are." Alexander wished he could do something to ease her uncertainties but he knew that in time she'd see him again. They finished their drinks, then watched her walk down towards their tent and flip the canopy lights off.

Hours later Sarah heard her work cell buzz. She was sure she had shut it off and she was surprised that she had any service on that phone. She flipped it over seeing the area code. She quickly answered thinking that it was news. "Walker here."

"Agent Walker, General Beckman."

"General. How are you?"

"Fine and you?"

"Good as well."

"I have been trying to get a hold of you."

Sarah scrolled her incoming calls and there were several calls in the past few weeks just about the time she arrived there. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you would be able to come in and meet with me. I have an offer for you."

At this moment Beckman wasn't one of her favourite people but this could be her way of getting back to the U.S. and home to Chuck. She paused for a moment then replied. "I can be back in DC in a few days."

"Great I look forward to seeing you then, goodbye Agent Walker."

Beckman hung up before Sarah could say goodbye as well. Sarah grabbed a jacket, slipped it on, and headed back to the main area. It was four in the morning. She walked in seeing Alexander sitting in a chair near the computers. Sarah quietly entered but somehow Alexander woke up. He sat up. "Sorry for."

"No worries I'm a light sleeper. What can I do for you? You hungry?"

"No." Sarah sat down. "Just got a call from General Beckman."

"Did you and?"

"She wants to meet with me."

"Did she say why?"

"She said that she had an offer for me?"

"Well, that's very cryptic!"

"That's what Chuck would say."

They both laughed.

"Well, you did need a way to get back to the states without a whole lot of questions and maybe this is the way. I'll make some arrangements; it might take us a few days though."

Sarah smiled as Alexander got up and started making calls. She stared at the stat phone. But decline to call Chuck just in case it didn't work out and they couldn't get back to the states. She didn't want to have him anticipate her arrival then not show up.

Chuck finished breakfast thanks to Casey living a regiment life. He grabbed his coffee and sat by the window. It was mid morning and still no word from Zondra. Chuck opened the file again. He looked at the timeline and when Decker arrived. It was around the time of Bryce's funeral and the same time that Beckman called Casey preparing him for what was to come in the next six months. Chuck grabbed the hotels notepad and jotted down some thoughts. He wished he had a computer, but he couldn't take the chance of being found out. Chuck had hoped that maybe Zondra could set that part up for them inside the CIA. As he continued his search but from what he got from Zondra their security had changed very quickly and very drastically. Chuck started by writing down Deckers name at the top and the question who are you? He remembered flashing on his voice so he had to be in the intersect but what else was there on him that he wasn't flashing on. What secrets did he hold?

As the morning progressed, Chuck quickly learned that whoever created the intersect knew important intel or where to get it and how to make those connections from phrases, words, photos, and voice recordings. He sat back and recalled all those times he had made connections from things he saw or heard and read. Trying to remember what he had collected over the year and half and what he jotted down on the back of his Tron poster. Decker's name wasn't one of them. Casey walked in. "Zondra called." Chuck sat up. "And what did she say?"

"She's got some time this afternoon. She'll meet us at Rosie's. She's bringing us a few items to help us out."

Chuck tried to feel excited but until he had a few more answers and Sarah next to him, he'd continue to be cautious.

Rosie's Diner

Chuck didn't question why they continued to meet here. It was the out of the way jaunt that was made up of blue-collar workers and tired bikers and not that white collar world of the CIA/NSA. They sat in the same booth as they did the day before and ordered three coffees. Zondra smiled at Chuck, still trying to figure him out and what Walker saw in him. The last man she was with was Bryce and Chuck was no Bryce. Chuck was a simple man and had a way of making the dullest day brighter with not even trying even for Zondra. "Sorry for the delay, boys. I had to wait to get away and with all the changes it's a hassle to leave sometimes." Chuck looked at Zondra. "So, when did all these changes happen?" Chuck looks at Casey who was thinking the same thing. "About a month or so but to be honest things got weird about six months ago. A memo went out stating that there would be some Administration changes and that they were going to move their security to a new set of software. Claiming that it was just routine and with the changes they wanted to take on a more defensive approach to their security."

Casey grunted making Zondra take notice.

"What?"

"It's starting to make sense at our end, as Chuck was trying to put together a timeline and what I think he found out that the changes that you have experienced coincide with what happened to us as a team."

Chuck sighed deeply.

"So, what do you need from me?" Zondra looking at the two.

Casey saw the look on Chuck's face. Speaking for him. "We need to get access to Clive Deckers files."

"Decker, one name that I don't care for and even less about him personally."

Chuck now knew why Sarah worked so hard to get someone she trusted. But as the conversation continued, he sensed that there was more to their relationship than she was letting on.

"Let me see what I can do, as I said earlier security has had an overhaul within the last month or so and so everything we do is under the microscope."

Casey looked at Chuck as he went back to drinking his coffee. Zondra dropped a few bucks and stood up. "Coffee is on me. Where are you staying?" Casey forwards the info. "Very well, we'll be in touch."

Hours later Zondra arrived at the hotel. Casey cautiously answered the door. Zondra stood in the doorway with a file. She nodded her greeting and Chuck picked up on it. ' Must be some agent code of conduct.' Chuck thought to himself. Chuck stood up and stood beside Casey who had taken the file from Zondra. Zondra sat down and opened the file. "We don't have much on him or I can't find much on him. The info states that he showed up about 6 months ago. His role is not really defined but has some connection with the NSA." Zondra passed the file to Casey as he takes a quick look then passes the file to Chuck. Chuck scans the file looking up and shaking his head. Casey knew he didn't flash on anything. But it didn't mean that there wasn't anything to go on.

Nicaragua

Sarah headed back to pack; she didn't have much to bring back but found a few things that she had accumulated since being down here. Hearing Alexander say that they got obtained a flight back home sooner than he thought made her day. She zipped up her bags and smiled as this time tomorrow she'd be with Chuck. She knew that he was in good hands but still feared that if they found out that he didn't die after all what would his life end up looking like. Would they threaten him with him going into a bunker or even worse make sure he was dead. She shook herself back to the present hearing Alexander's voice. "You good to go?"

Sarah turned and faced him. "I think so."

They walked back towards the main tent. "We need to drive back to town then we will fly out switching flights in Augusto Cesar then flying into Mexico and few more flights then to DC."

"Whatever it takes to get to them."

"It is our only option on such a short notice."

They tossed their bags into the truck as Alexander locked up and jumped into the driver's side. Sarah stared out the window looking out at the canopy of green leaves and bushes as they drove out from their hidden home for the last few weeks. Alexander stopped then turned onto the road that led into town. Sarah finally was able to breathe once their plane took off heading back to DC.

2 days later

Alexander grabs Sarah's bags and looks around. Sarah walks up to him seeing the look on his face. "So how long has it been since you have been back?"

Alexander sighed. "Besides coming here to get Chuck it has been over 20 years. After John joined the Marines and I saw him in my office I moved and never looked back. John would call once in awhile but this time I could hear the devastation and worry in his voice. It had to be a very difficult position that he was in to make that call."

Sarah paused before speaking. "At first, I was devastated walking in and seeing Chuck lying in his own blood and Casey holding a gun and not knowing why. I'm not okay with it because it could have gone either way."

"Yes, it could have but John is a good shot, he always has been, if he had to make it look like Chuck was shot for a kill, he'd make it look like that. And no one disputed what he did with the body." Alexander squeezed her shoulder. "Let's go see Chuck."

Sarah smiled and walked towards a waiting vehicle. Alexander nodded to the driver then tossed their bags into the back.

Chuck and Casey returned back to hotel after grabbing a bite to eat. Chuck had hoped to be farther in his search on Decker but could only do as much as he had intel on. He hoped that powers at would reign on them and give them some hope and some answers. Casey looked ahead and saw Alexander and smiled. Chuck not seeing him would make the reunion sweeter. He let Chuck go on chatting about whatever and stopped shy of the door. Chuck opened the door and turned to see where Casey was. When he looked back into the room he smiled. He looked back at Casey as he lit a cigar. Chuck walked in and closed the door. Sarah who was sitting on the bed got up and ran into his arms.

Chuck held her close then leaned back looking at her just to make sure she was actually there. When their lips touched their worries also left. Chuck continued to kiss her and she kissed him back. He smiled and continued to keep her close. Chuck turned to walk towards the door. "Where are you going?" Sarah wondering.

"To tell Casey that you're here?"

"I think he has figured that out."

Sarah grabbed the hem of his shirt and lifted it off him tossing it onto the other bed. She stared him down. "Which bed is yours?"

In between kisses he pointed. Sarah pushed him backwards landing with a bounce on the bed as she straddled his legs. Looking down at him she quickly pulled her shirt off and tossed it. Chuck smiled then sat up taking her face in his hands. "Missed you."

"Missed you too."

Sarah brushed away his loose hairs and kissed him. They fell back awaiting their reunion.

Morning

Sarah rolled slightly towards Chuck instinctively making him grab her and bringing her close to him. He neither opened his eyes nor changed his breathing. She welcomes his warmth breath on her neck validating that he is still with her and that he didn't die. Thankful for each small moment she has with him. She hears his breathing labouring and his fingers sliding into her as they rest on her hip. Eventually feeling his lips kiss the back of her head then sliding into the nook of her neck. This feeling sending shocks of electricity to her toes then back up to her neck. Rolling back into him she sees his sleepy looking eyes looking down at her. Their lips meet with fervour and desire. Chuck slides his arms around her interlocking their legs into one.

Chuck slides his arms around her pulling her gently on top of him kissing her neck then dragging his lips over her bare skin. She meets his lips and brings him close, closer if she could. They knew that there was no rush in the wee hours of the morning, but to be in the moment, to be together.

Chuck caressed Sarah's face giving her kisses soft and subtle. They could easily start up again but stop slightly as they hear a faint knock. They go back to enjoying each others company, kissing, and rolling back and forth together getting tangled up in the sheets. The knock gets louder. Sarah pushes Chuck upwards and forces him to go and investigate. He grabs a pair of shorts and slips them on. Sarah covers herself up with the sheet and awaits to see who was on the other side.

Chuck opens the door carefully and all Sarah could hear was. "I hoped you both finished." Then the door opens and Sarah sees Zondra. She was carrying a tray of coffees and carrying two bags of something. Chuck walked past the bed. Sarah called out "Pass me a robe?" Chuck tossed a robe to her. He turned around. "Morning Zondra." Then looked at Sarah. "I'm going to take a shower."

Sarah slipped the robe on then joined Zondra at the table as she unloaded the bags and slipped the coffees out of their hold. "I knew what Chuck took in his coffee and I hoped that I got yours right as well."

Zondra looked at Sarah as her unfiltered mouth and a tinge of sarcasm came out. "You and the nerd. So how is he?"

Sarah cheeks went red. She wasn't ready for that kind of answer. With confidence in her voice, she answered her. "He's more than adequate, and it's none of your business."

Zondra wanted to ask her about Bryce but knew from the way she smiled when Chucks name was spoken that Bryce could never be compared to him. Zondra passed Sarah a coffee and sat down.

As they sipped their coffee and the painful small talk. Zondra looked at Sarah. "Thanks for entrusting me with this."

"No thank you for helping Chuck. It means the world to me. When I thought he died, over this I was devastated. We are at a good place. Maybe thinking that it could work between us that we could have a future, but when I saw him fall to the ground and just lie there not moving." Sarah turned her face away as the image came to mind. Zondra placed her hand on her arm. "He's okay, he's here with you."

Sarah composed herself and took a sip of coffee. "So, Chuck's story?" Sarah didn't want to tell her everything but if she was going to be apart of this Sarah had to give her something. "All I can say is that Bryce sent him something that he well wasn't supposed to have possession of in the first place and now that Chuck has seen it, there are people who want that information for themselves and will go to any means to get that information. So, Casey and I were sent to LA to protect him. Casey was sent by Beckman and Langston sent me."

"Why two different divisions?"

"We were told that since 911 they had agreed to share all intel and work together hence these files. But when Bryce stole those files, we believe now that it could be to keep them, from those files and everything that has to go with them, from those other people."

"So, when you arrive how long did it take for him to melt your walls?"

"Honestly (slight pause) the first day I met him at the Buy More, when I walked in to assess the situation. I faked a phone emergency."

Zondra laughed then went serious. "How did you do your job?"

No one has ever asked her that question but she quickly replied. "I did what I had to do, and at times it was wonderful. We were in a relationship classified as fake but there were glimpses of realism every so often and many missions that brought us closer, Closer to maybe being something for real and then in a flash it was just a job that chipped away at what could have been."

Chuck came out of the bathroom looking refreshed and his smile lit up the room. Sarah got up and walked past him sneaking a kiss. "Be kind."

"Me (sarcastically) I am always nice."

"I said kind Bartowski."

Chuck reached for the cup that was left and sat down as Zondra passed him the bag of doughnuts.

"Thanks for this."

"No problem."

Sarah came out slipping her hair into a ponytail seeing that Chuck was alone. "Where's Zondra?"

"She had to go but would pop by later, she dropped off some building info and the latest changes, she told me to take a look and figure out where I would like to go."

"Don't you have an idea where to go?"

"Not sure, do we start at the DNI or Decker's office or even for that matter Beckman's."

Sarah got a worried look on her face, making Chuck look at her.

"I'm happy you're here but why now?"

Sarah was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. Chuck got up and opened it up seeing Casey and Alexander.

"So, Beckman called?"

Chuck looked at Casey then at Sarah very confused. "Sa-ra-h. Beckman?"

"Casey, I haven't told him yet."

Chuck turned to face Sarah. "Chuck please sit down." Sarah spoke softly.

Chuck sat down as Casey leaned against the window and Alexander taking the other chair. Sarah sat on the bed facing Chuck. "I wanted to come back here with you but knew that I couldn't because I wasn't supposed to know anything, But the other day Beckman called and this gave me the excuse to come back into the states."

"What did she want?"

"She said that she has an offer for me."

"That's cryptic."

Alexander chuckled; Sarah tried not to do the same.

"So, when is the meeting?"

"I need to call her Casey; I told her that I would when I got back."

"Well better now than not."

Sarah slid her hand into her back pocket pulling out her cell. She scrolled for her number and dialled. She walked towards the bathroom to have a little privacy. 30 minutes later Sarah returned, Chuck stood up.

"She wants to meet tomorrow."

This was one of the few times that Chuck saw Sarah in a vulnerable situation. She just talked to and would be meeting with someone who might have been the one behind the kill order. Then to go in as if nothing happened. Chuck grabbed her hand.

"Are you…"

"I'm okay, I think."

Casey straightened his back. "So how did she sound?"

"Like the usual, I think she has too."

"What are you going to say to her?" Sarah caressed Chuck's face then walked out of the room. Chuck started to go after her. Casey stood in front of the door. "Can I?"

Chuck bowed out and watched as Casey headed outside.

Sarah was sitting on the bench across from their room staring out towards the park. Casey sat down surprising her thinking that it would have been Chuck coming out here.

"I figured that I'd take the reigns this time. Then Chuck can swoop in and do the other stuff."

Sarah smiled.

"He has heart warmed you, hasn't he?"

Casey laughed. "Chuck's style does put things into perspective and what he means to us. But yes, he has heart warmed us, but don't tell him that. I want to explain a few things."

"You have."

"Yeah, but I think that it is going to take a few more times till I am at peace with the whole thing. When we recovered the cipher from Colt, I tried to plead his case. But Langston moved in and told me that there was no way that there could be two intersects existing. But what I noticed was Beckman didn't even have a say or she was afraid to say anything. Then that evening my worst nightmare happened. (Deep sigh) So we know that the cipher blew up but do you think that Fulcrum got anything from the upload. I mean in order to gain some control they would have to have a part in it. Then you showed up to tell him, that it had blown up."

Both remembering their conversation months before that they could only keep him safe for so long. Sarah looks over at Casey. "I'm sorry for reacting to how and what you did to Chuck."

"No, you're right to do what you did, I would have, but I had to do what I had to do. I had to keep him safe."

"I know you had to make a hard decision to keep him safe so thank you, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"So, Beckman, what are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure. I can't go in there and accuse her of murder. I could blame her."

"You could but she'd say it is part of the job. You need to stay in your role of ex-handler. See where the conversation goes. She may or may not speak of it and move onto other matters. I am curious to what she has in mind."

Sarah didn't respond.

"Whatever the meeting brings you will do fine knowing that he is safe." Casey saw Chuck walking towards them. He stood up. "You got this." Casey walked away making room for Chuck to sit down and instinctively Sarah leaned her head on his shoulder. Intertwining their fingers they sat in silence for some time. Chuck broke the silence by kissing the top of her head. "I can't believe that I can actually do that." "What sit outside?"

Chuck chuckled. "Yeah, sit outside with a beautiful woman that I am madly in love with."

"Your so adorable." Those words meaning much much more now. "I love you too."

The next day

Sarah laid out her CIA blues and debated on wearing them or not. She ran her hand over the lapel of her suit jacket when two warm hands slid around her waist bringing her back in line with Chuck's chest. Chuck pulled her closer and kissed the inside of her neck. "Can we stay like this?" Sarah responds.

"We can."

Sarah turned around and brought Chuck into a soft kiss which eventually heated up more than they thought it would. Chuck took her to the other bed and laid her down. He made his way down her neck, then shoulders. Chuck meets her gaze. She knows that he is doing this to for her, to distract her from what was to come. She appreciated the distraction for a little while.

Sarah slid out of his warm hold watching him sleep. She didn't want to disturb him as he did earn a rest after what had just happened. She grabbed her clothes and slipped into the bathroom.

Coming out she grabbed her cell to make a call for a cab when she opened the door seeing Casey there. "Alexander can watch Chuck."

Chuck stood outside waiting for Casey to return and could see that he was a bit peeved that he wasn't the one to take Sarah. Casey parked then stepped out. "Before you get your girly feelings out of whack, she told me that you were…."

Chuck didn't want to admit that they had been intimate, having sex for that matter so he stayed quiet. "We will go back in a few, I also want to meet up with Zondra when we are there, so if there is anything else you need to ask her this would be the time."

Sarah moved from chair to chair as she started at the front lobby waiting for her new credentials and id badge then to heading up to Beckman's office. As the elevators door opened, she peeked down to the right seeing the wing that housed Langston Grahams office. She had not been on this floor since the week before she arrived in LA. She approached the front desk and said who she was then was asked to sit down. She waited for another 30 minutes.

"Agent Walker." A soft-spoken lady officer spoke.

Sarah stood up fixed her skirt and pulled down her suit jacket. Sarah nodded as the door opened and there was the infamous desk that Chuck often talked about. As Sarah walked in further Sarah made eye contact with Beckman. "Agent Walker, nice to see you."

"Nice to see you too."

"Please take a seat."

Sarah slid into the first seat to her left and sat back and straight. Beckman smiled back as she grabbed a file that was sitting to her right. She placed the folder in front of her then looked up. Sarah noticed her facial features changed as she spoke. Beckman cleared her throat and clasped her hands in front of her and laid them on the desk. "I don't do this often but this situation."

'What situation General?' Sarah thinking to herself. "I personally want to say that I am sorry for what transpired."

'Transpired?' Sarah was starting to sweat under her white blouse. "I guess that maybe transpired isn't the right word. I am sorry for what happened to Chuck. If I had a say I mean if there was another way." Sarah tried not to react but ' Did she just say that there was another way?' Sarah took a deep breath and thought of Chuck, he had just made love to her, so there was no doubt that he was indeed alive.

"This has changed the dynamics with team Bartowski and that your duties for that team are no longer needed so I asked you here to discuss what you might want to do and also give you some options."

Sarah tried to compose herself and figure what she wanted to say back to Beckman and to refrain from climbing over the desk and strangling her for what happened to Chuck. Was this the right time to probe into what could have happened differently or wait and find it out with the others.

Sarah decided to play along and see where it would go, that is what Chuck would have her do. "What happened to Chuck is going to take sometime as would any relationship professional or not to get over what I saw, I mean what we went through." Sarah watched to see if there was any reaction. Beckman stayed stoic and quiet. Sarah continued. "I haven't thought about what I would like to do next. I am still working on leads from a mission that I was pursuing. I would like to finish up where I left off."

"I see."

"But what do you have in mind?"

"Right now, I need you to clean up Castle and close up any open cases that may be left and set up Castle for a new team to join you in LA. You and Major Casey once he is back from his mission, will join you and your new team in training these new recruits in what your team was known for."

'Well, you had the best part of our team murdered, there can never be a team like what we had.' Sarah's inner voice screaming.

"So, when do you foresee this happening?"

"As soon as possible, I hope. I will send all the information by courier to LA by the end of the week."

When Beckman didn't get a quick response, she stood up. "Think about it and in a few days, I will need your answer." Beckman walked towards the door and opened it. Sarah knew that was her cue to leave, and she was more than happy to. Beckman extended her hand out, mostly out of courtesy. Sarah extended her hand as well and shook Beckman's hand. Sarah headed down the hall and stood in front of the elevator wishing it to hurry up.

Sarah walked out of the lobby and down the stairs seeing a familiar face even with his ball cap pulled down. He looked up and smiled then opened his arms seeing the look on her face.