A/N: This is a little different, I hope you like it. This takes place between Season One and Season Two. It will start canon and quickly leave it behind.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck.


Sarah looked up at the screen at her two superiors, Beckman and Graham. She assumed they would be furious with her. She assumed they would have trouble holding their temper. What she saw, she swore, was exhaustion.

"We have received all the transmitters and the receiver," Beckman said, pulling Sarah from her thoughts. "The extraction order remains rescinded." Beckman looked as though she wanted to say more, but decided against it.

"Thank you," Sarah replied. "Chuck is looking forward to his sister's wedding." She paused, not sure if she should tell them what Chuck had said, but she knew Chuck wanted it. She went ahead, knowing how crazy it might make Beckman and Graham. "He said he would send you an invitation; however, that would lead to questions no one wants answered."

Beckman nodded solemnly, as Graham looked away, fighting to not roll his eyes. He looked back at Sarah and spoke. "Tell the Intersect we said thank you."

"Chuck," she blurted out, before she could stop herself. She could no longer take the constant disrespect they showed him. "Sir," she added in a much lower voice. "His name is Chuck."

"I guess it's time we address it, Langston," Beckman said, in a voice that said she truly did not wish to address anything. Sarah made sure to keep her face absolutely neutral. "Would you have killed Longshore, Agent Walker?"

"Excuse me?" Sarah asked. Beckman sighed, clicked a button on her keyboard, and the video of Sarah pointing her gun at Longshore appeared on the feed. Sarah stood there, stone-faced.

"So, I'll ask you again, Agent… Sarah," Beckman began, her voice softer, almost… kinder. "Would you have killed Agent Longshore?"

"I don't know," Sarah admitted.

"Told you," Graham mumbled to Beckman. Beckman gave him a dirty look, and he shrugged. He studied Sarah for a moment. "I know you're already planning three, if not five, escape routes this second and taking Bartowski with you, but that is not necessary."

"I'm sorry?" Sarah said, confused.

"Agent Walker, we are the CIA and the NSA. We are not idiots," Graham said.

There was silence for a long moment. Finally, all the months, all the pressure that had been building inside of her, burst. "Permission to speak freely, Sir? Ma'am?"

"Please," Beckman said.

"None of this would have been necessary, if you two had allowed me to do the actual job I was assigned," Sarah said, trying to remain as professional as possible. "Chuck Bartowski is a civilian." She paused, then decided in for a penny, in for a pound. "Civilian," she stressed. "Yet, you don't treat him as such. It is not his fault he is the Intersect."

"You're right," Graham said, sounding tired. "I assume you have more to say." She stared at the monitor. "Get it all out, Agent Walker."

"He has done everything we have asked," Sarah snapped. "He has done more than some agents with years of training, and he does so willingly. The constant threat of being put into a bunker. The constant worry of his sister finding out… which, I'm not sure which of the four of us will be in more trouble if she finds out." She swore she saw both tremble.

"Let's do our best to make sure that doesn't happen," Beckman said.

"Frankly, Sir, Ma'am… the way you treat him…" Sarah trailed off, still not able to bring herself to say what she wanted to.

"It's appalling," Beckman said.

"It's tiring," Graham added. "Do you know the things the President has said to us about this… computer program, being in his head?"

"Through no fault of his own," Sarah stressed.

"No," Beckman agreed. "But it is the predicament we currently find ourselves in. The Intersect was made for an agent, at least that's what we keep saying."

"I'm sorry?" Sarah said.

Beckman was silent for a moment, sighed, and punched a button on her keyboard. A video popped up that made Sarah's blood run cold. It was her and Chuck, talking about the file from Stanford that contained his file.

"Again, we know you have at least five to fifty plans running through your head," Graham said, sounding tired. "We've known for some time. The Intersect… it was made for Chuck Bartowski. Or someone with similar brain functions as his."

"Sir," Sarah began.

"And, he doesn't want it. And frankly, we don't want him to have it," Graham said.

"There is a reason Bryce Larkin was sent very far away from Mr. Bartowski," Beckman added. "Agent Walker…" Again, she paused, and her tone changed. It was, again, softer. "Sarah." Beckman looked at Graham.

"We FUBARED," Graham said. Sarah's eyes went wide. "We thought, if we could use Mr. Bartowski and the Intersect for a few weeks – months at most – we could have another Intersect up and working, and in another agent."

"So, that's not happening?" Sarah asked.

Graham snorted. "The agents can't make it work," he admitted. "Which leaves us in a hell of a conundrum."

"Let's say we get the Intersect to work in an agent," Beckman said. "What do we do with Chuck?"

"You let him live his life," Sarah said.

"He has national secrets in his head, Sarah," Beckman said softly. "Secrets that could affect the entire world."

"You have the Intersect removed," Sarah countered.

"There is no known way to remove it," Beckman said. Sarah felt a chill go through her. "Which leaves us two options." Sarah's eyes went dark. "We are not going to kill him." Sarah was deathly quiet. "We are not. I promise." Sarah relaxed.

"Although, it was suggested," Graham admitted. Sarah's eyes went dark again. "Say someone got him, Sarah. Say another country took him, tortured him." Sarah let out a slow breath. "There are things worse than death, and you are well aware of it."

"So, if that option is off the table, what is the other option? Putting in a black site? Cutting him off from everyone, because he had the audacity to read what he thought was a birthday e-card from a friend?" Sarah could feel her blood beginning to boil.

"No," Beckman answered simply. "What we have come to realize – come to an agreement with the President – is that he must be protected."

"He will be," Sarah said. Beckman gave her a look. "I dare someone to try and take him."

"Sarah," Beckman said gently. Beckman looked at Graham.

"Sarah, listen," Graham began. "The plan to protect him is beginning." Sarah felt the rage inside her she felt when she first met Graham. How she wanted to fight him, for the injustices of the world. How she had been dragged into her father's world, and now had to pay for her father's poor judgment.

"He won't survive being away from his family," Sarah said, trying to keep her temper even.

"We know," Beckman said. "That is why the change that you already see has begun to take place. This place will be known as Castle."

Sarah looked around the room they were in. It was state of the art. There were the beginnings of hallway. She had seen plans earlier, and the place looked massive. If she had to guess, less than ten percent of the structure was complete.

"We are changing the store upstairs to a yogurt shop," Beckman said.

"Blasted Congress making us break even on the store," Graham grumbled. Sarah looked at him, confused.

"You have no idea how much we're having to go through for funding," Beckman told her. "Once completed, any threat or perceived threat to Chuck, he will be transported here."

"Okay, so this is where I bring him," Sarah said. She saw the two of them share a look. "What?"

"Sarah," Graham began, and then stopped.

"Sarah," Beckman tried to begin. "Sarah, can we be frank?"

"Please," Sarah said, feeling her jaw clenching.

"I know how you were brought into the CIA," Beckman said gently. "And we both see how you resent it."

"I don't…" Sarah began.

"Sarah," Graham cut in. "Come on."

"I mean… I'm good at it," Sarah argued.

"You'd be good at anything," Beckman said. "Let's say you remained with this project. Do you know what that would mean?"

"I can't be with Chuck," Sarah said. "That's your worry, but I-"

"Like we could stop you," Graham blurted out. Sarah gave him a look. "Do you need Diane to play you another video?"

"Sir, Ma'am," Sarah said quickly. "Everything that Chuck and I have done is to protect the cover."

Beckman blew out a long breath, and began to reach for her keyboard. "Okay, fine… we might…" Sarah couldn't finish the sentence. Beckman shook her head as she hit a button on the keyboard. Sarah gasped. It was her and Chuck in front of the not-bomb. Beckman stopped the video with Sarah pointing her gun at Chuck. "I can explain."

"Did you ever point a gun like that at Roan?" Graham asked Beckman.

"Several times," Beckman said, a frown on her face. "Probably should have shot him." They turned back to Sarah. "To not be an agent, he has an unusual amount of courage."

"He does," Sarah said softly.

"Sarah… if you were to be with Chuck, and it go wrong… if you broke up… you would be stationed here, protecting him," Beckman began.

"I would," Sarah said. "I would protect him with my life."

"We know," Graham said gently. "But who would protect you?" Sarah was confused. "Sarah… what happens when he finds someone, and falls in love?"

"If we broke up, I'm sure I'd move… wait, are we actually talking about this?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, we are, because it's decision time," Beckman said. "Casey is staying here for now. I'm afraid if he is permanently assigned here, he might shoot someone from boredom."

"Other than himself?" Graham asked. Beckman didn't answer, other than to raise her eyebrows.

"I have a choice?" Sarah asked.

"Yes, Sarah, you do," Beckman said. "You have… multiple choices."

"Then I will stay here," she said.

"We will not be considering that request at this time," Graham said.

"But-" Sarah protested.

"You misunderstand," Beckman said gently. "Sarah… it's closing time for this operation. It's ending. Now you have to decide: Are you going to remain a CIA officer and do what you think you do best? Or are you going to stay there?"

"And if you stay there, how will you stay there?" Graham asked. "We both know that you and Bartowski continuing to lead the fake boyfriend-girlfriend thing is maddening to both of you."

"Let me add," Beckman said. "You staying, and becoming involved…" She paused. "More involved." Sarah didn't blush. It took a superhuman effort, but she did not. "Sarah, it wouldn't be typical."

"I get that I'm a spy," Sarah began.

"Sarah, you misunderstand," Beckman said gently. "One of the reasons we frowned on you and Bartowski, is that if you two broke up, it would make things harder on both of you."

"Harder than it's been?" Sarah asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice.

"I'll concede that," Beckman replied. "But, if you enter a relationship with him, knowing what you know now…" She trailed off. "I'm not the best at the whole touchy-feely thing."

"You think I am?" Graham retorted. He turned to Sarah. "The amount of pressure to make things work… having to constantly know where he is, for his protection."

"I'd sound like a needy girlfriend," Sarah said, starting to understand.

"And you might have to ask yourself, at some point, why are you in the relationship," Graham added. "Because you want to be, or because… because you think you owe it to him." He was silent for a moment. "While they are different men, your father and Chuck, the situations… they are oddly similar."

"Your father, who you loved, you felt you owed, but also caused you to be dragged down with him," Beckman said gently. "And now, a man, who through no fault of yours, but by your ex-boyfriend, is now trapped… a man you obviously care for, and admire. A man who you want to help do the right thing… do you love him? Do you feel you owe him? Why are you doing this?"

"Is it for you, or what you think you should do?" Graham added. "Was it merely attraction between you two, that being forced to be a fake couple flamed the fire? Or is there something really there?"

"I don't know what to say," Sarah admitted. "I've… I've never thought about it that way, and I've never thought he and I… I don't know what to say."

"Well, you have approximately three months according to the contractors," Beckman said. "And, you will remain a functioning team until the Intersect works in another agent."

"What if… what if that takes longer than three months?" Sarah asked. Beckman pressed her lips together. "One last question: If he and I were to have a relationship… now… is that… how do I ask this?"

"We leave the choice up to you Sarah," Graham said. "And there is nothing that says if you stay, you can't leave later."

"And if I leave in three months?" Sarah asked.

"I think it's time you have a promotion," Graham said. "I think it's time you get to lead."

"If I stay here?" Sarah asked.

"You'll be tasked with protecting Chuck, and there will be reports that need to be reviewed," Graham said. "I can't have you in the field away from Chuck if you are protecting him."

"While you consider your options, the good news is that the Wienerlicious is closed, and it will be a few weeks before the yogurt shop opens," Beckman said. "We know this is not an easy decision. We'll keep you informed of how Castle is coming along."

With that, she ended the feed.

Sarah stood there. A few days ago, she was ready to run with Chuck, to protect him. She cared for him. She'd give her life for him. But… but was she ready to be a romantic partner? She had never really had a boyfriend, not like Chuck.

She and Bryce… she rolled her eyes. Their relationship, hers and Chuck's… it would have to be… she didn't even know what. There would be moments that they could be fighting, and she would have to protect him. Not that she couldn't.

She had never thought of them being together, like this. So… normal… so… she didn't know. And Graham was right. If something did go wrong between them… could she stay? Could she deal with… someone like Lou? She said she'd move on, but…

Sarah blew out a breath.

She was an agent. She was a spy. That's all she had been for a long time. Could she be more? Could she live not being a spy, because if she stayed here, she wouldn't be a spy any longer.

Something she thought was such a simple choice not so long ago, she now questioned.

While Carina had kidded her about this being Snoresville, the redhead didn't realize was there was always something happening with Chuck and the Intersect.

Could Sarah live that life? Would she be what Chuck needed, living that life? Would she be what she needed herself to be, living that life?

She didn't know.

And frankly, that scared her.

She should talk to Chuck. She knew that. But the two of them talking about this…?

She shut everything down, headed up the stairs, and exited the building. She looked over, across the parking lot at the building in which she knew he was working. She stared at it for a long minute, then turned, heading for her car. She needed to think.

She needed to think by herself.

}o{

He sat there at the Nerd Herd desk, his fingers moving deftly, repairing the motherboard in front of him, as his brain wandered.

You want to come in with me?

Oh, it's family time.

I know.

Those words continued to play through his head. Those words tormented him day and night. It had been four days since that morning at the window, where he and Sarah had watched Ellie and Awesome.

He hadn't avoided her, perse, since then, but he had made sure not to bother her. He knew she was submitting the final report on the whole Longshore incident today, and hopefully the order for him to be extracted would remain rescinded.

He stopped what he was doing. Maybe… maybe it would be best for her if the order wasn't rescinded.

He shook his head, and concentrated on what he was doing. In the past few months, their relationship had become even more complicated, to say the least. They both knew there was something between them, but… they also knew they couldn't, and shouldn't, do anything about it.

He also knew this made things hard on her, and he worried he wasn't helping. Ever since the kiss, he had been a bit off-kilter. He had been looking for ways to make them work, but he'd never thought to ask; did she want them to work? She had saved him from Longshore.

He put down the screwdriver again, frustrated. That was the problem. Each time he thought they had no shot, something happened to make him think they did. And each time he thought they had a shot, something happened to make him believe they didn't.

He cared for her, and he knew she cared for him. He rolled his neck, feeling the tension relieve as it cracked in several places.

He was dreading what he was going to have to do after work. He had to talk to her. He was sure she would understand what he was asking her for, and why. He was sure… no, he really wasn't, but he kept thinking if he told himself that enough, it would be true.

}o{

The staccato knock pulled her out of her sleep. Sarah had come home and napped. She felt it was the best thing to do, after her discussion with Beckman and Graham. The knock, while obviously Chuck, wasn't quite right. Something was wrong with him. She shook her head as she headed for the door. She knew his knocks.

Opening the door, she saw him there, a sad smile on his face. "Something wrong?" she asked, as she stepped back to give him room to enter.

"Yeah," he said, sighing heavily.

She moved quickly to her phone after shutting the door. She thought she had left it on. Picking it up, she found no missed messages. "Beckman and Graham didn't call me."

"No, not that kind of wrong," Chuck told her.

"Lester and Jeff got arrested for selling porn out of the back of Jeff's van?" Sarah offered.

Chuck thought for a moment. "I'm not sure it's porn," he told her. "I mean, the upskirt videos are wrong, but I'm not sure it's porn." Sarah nodded. "Of course, Casey's last talk to them may have forever ended that."

"Good," Sarah said crisply. "Oh, no, Morgan played Mystery Crisper again?"

"No," Chuck said shaking his head. "I think Awesome's talk with him may have finally ended that, as well." He grinned at her, and then his face fell. "Man, you really do know everything about my family."

"Jeff and Lester are your family?" Sarah asked, amused.

"The weird creepy cousins you keep away from the punch at the family get together, but, yeah," Chuck admitted. He was silent a moment. "This job… it's gotta be hard," he said softly.

"Okay, Chuck, what's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"You know about Ellie's and Awesome's engagement," Chuck began. Sarah nodded. "Well… they've been celebrating as they have the chance, and they've… well, they've been more vocal lately."

"Uh, when you say vocal?" Sarah asked.

"And, the walls really are thin, as you know," Chuck added.

"Chuck… when you say vocal?"

"And now, they both have too much vacation time that they have to use, so they're off for like two weeks," Chuck continued. "At the same time." Sarah watched him, he was looked extremely uncomfortable. "Sarah… I'm glad she's happy… but she's my sister!"

"Oh, God," Sarah said, shuddering.

"That's what she said," Chuck blurted out. Sarah couldn't help but burst out in laughter. "So, I have to ask something of you that is extremely unfair."

"Which side of the bed do you want?" Sarah asked automatically. She was surprised by the confusion on his face. "Well, you're not sleeping on the floor."

"Wait, you think I want to stay here?" Chuck asked.

"Well, I'm sure you don't want to stay with Casey," Sarah countered. Chuck shook his head. "You know he passes gas all night while he sleeps."

"I wouldn't be sharing a bed with him!" Chuck told her, laughing.

"It's Casey, would it matter?" she asked. They both laughed.

"You know," he said softly, as he sobered. "I know this mission hasn't been easy on you, but I sure am glad it's you they sent."

"You're lucky," Sarah said, grinning. "Carina could be CIA."

"She would have me tied up in here on the bed," Chuck told Sarah. "Not necessarily anything sexual. Just tied up on the bed." Sarah nodded. "Thank you."

"For not tying you up and putting you on the bed?" Sarah asked. "No problem."

"No," Chuck replied, grinning. "For doing everything in your power to make this as easy as possible."

"Thank you for doing the same," Sarah replied.

The two stood there a moment, and then Chuck cleared his throat. "So, about that favor-"

"You can stay here," Sarah insisted.

He gave her a pointed look. "I wouldn't do that to us."

"Do what to us?" Sarah asked, grinning.

"Fine, I wouldn't do that to me, because for two weeks, us… alone… in here…" He trailed off.

"Okay, let's say I know what you mean, and we move on to your plan," Sarah said, realizing letting this go was the better move on her part.

"Is there anywhere you can disappear for two weeks?" Chuck asked. "I'm going to rent a room and stay there."

Sarah was silent for a moment. "Wait, you're doing this to protect the cover?" Chuck nodded. "You're doing this… you're doing this… Chuck, the CIA will not reimburse you."

"I know," Chuck told her, shrugging. "I cannot stay at that apartment."

She stared at him. "No, there's a better way to handle this," she told him.

"You know me staying here… it's not smart," Chuck said.

She was silent for a moment. "I don't know that," Sarah said. Chuck's eyes went wide. "But I do understand what you mean. There is another option."

"Are you seriously gonna make me choose between Casey's gas and you?" Chuck asked.

"I can't make you do anything," Sarah said, laughing.

"We both know that's not true," Chuck told her.

She took a step toward him, looking him right in the eye. "Chuck…" He swallowed, and she grinned. "I do have an idea that might upset Casey."

"How much?" Chuck asked.

Sarah grinned at him. "However, we might have to spend a lot of alone time together."

"But it will upset Casey?" Chuck asked. Sarah nodded. "God, I love you." Her eyes went wide. "You know what… can we…"

"Forget that last sentence? Sure," Sarah said, nodding. "Come on," she said, grabbing her things. "Have you seen what they're doing under the old Weinerlicious?"

}o{

"For the record, I hate this idea, General," Casey said.

"Did I mention that the walls are very thin, and if I have to stay there, you have to listen to and watch the tapes?" Chuck reminded Casey.

Casey thought for a second. "General, I'd like to rescind my hate for this idea."

"Noted, Major," Beckman said, sounding more tired than normal.

"Everything okay with Director Graham?" Chuck asked. Graham was not currently present.

"Oh, everything's fine," Beckman said. "He told me to, and I quote, deal with this nuthouse."

"He's not wrong," Casey muttered.

"This is Sarah's idea," Chuck reminded Casey. "Not mine."

"Christ, he's ruined her," Casey muttered again.

"Major," Beckman chided. Casey stood at attention. "So, your plan, if I understand it Agent Walker, is for you three to fly to Florida. There, you and Mr. Bartowski" Chuck raised his hand. "…Yes, Mr. Bartowski?"

"You… you didn't call me the Intersect," Chuck pointed out.

"That's usually Graham doing that," Beckman said. "And, he is going to do his best not to do so anymore."

"You don't like me very much, do you, General Beckman?" Chuck asked. Sarah put her head in her hand. This was going splendidly.

"Mr. Bartowski…" he raised his hand again. "What?"

"It's okay if you call me Chuck." Casey snorted.

"Chuck." She paused, saw his hand did not get raised, and continued. "We admit, your being part of this team… it was not ideal, or anything we were prepared for. Going forward, we are trying to find a path where we can operate, as a team."

"All of us?" Chuck asked. He saw Beckman look at Sarah, and Sarah gave the slightest of nods.

"Yes, all of us," Beckman said. "Now, if I may?" Chuck nodded. "You two will pose as a couple, going from club to club where we have had reports of possible criminals there… doing… whatever they do in these clubs."

"Get drunk, high, dance… find some companionship," Chuck offered.

"Companionship?" Casey said, turning to him.

"It's either that, or…" Chuck raised his eyebrows.

"I see," Casey said. "You would know."

"Boys," Sarah said, making the two of them turn back to the screen.

"I am to play the driver?" Casey asked. "Since they are obviously a couple in love, they will share a room, right?"

"Anything to save the government a dollar, eh, Casey?" Chuck asked.

Casey grinned, but it fell from his face as Beckman peered at Casey. "Something wrong, General?"

"No, nothing," Beckman said. "I was just reminded that I have to meet with the appropriations committee in the morning."

Sarah's eyes went wide, and it took all her skills not to laugh. Casey looked like he had swallowed a bug.

"Can we at least get a queen size bed?" Chuck asked.

Beckman looked at some papers and then back to Chuck. "The only one we get at the rate is the honeymoon suite," Beckman told them.

"Double is fine," Sarah replied quickly.

"I would think that if the honeymoon suite is cheaper, that's the one we should book," Casey said, quite proud of himself.

Beckman glared at Casey. The pride fell from his face. She turned to Sarah. "As I said… appropriations committee."

"Understood," Sarah said.

"Okay, what if I pay the difference?" Chuck asked. Beckman hit a button on her computer and a printer began to operate inside Castle. Sarah walked over and got the printed material, as Chuck continued to say that it wasn't fair to constantly put Sarah in the position that she was in.

"Double is fine," Sarah said as she handed Chuck the sheet breaking down the cost differences.

"It totally is not," Chuck said to her. He glanced at the paper, and then back to her. He opened his mouth to speak, stopped, and looked down at the paper again. Looking up at Sarah, he said "I can cover it."

"Buddy, I know how much is in your savings account," Sarah said gently. "It's fine."

"They built too many honeymoon suites," Beckman explained.

"You should try having to be in one by yourself," Casey said, shaking his head. "You get a lot of weird looks."

"Couldn't find… companionship?" Chuck asked. Casey turned to glare at him.

"Gentlemen!" Beckman snapped. The two snapped to attention. "Wheels-up at oh-eight hundred tomorrow morning. Wardrobe for your club hopping will be provided." With that, she turned off the screen. Casey left without a word.

"This isn't fair to you," Chuck said.

"At least it's a queen bed," Sarah offered.

"In a honeymoon suite," Chuck added.

"Hey, it's you. I'm not worried," Sarah told him.

"Of course you're not worried about me, physically," Chuck replied. "You're Sarah Walker. If I tried anything untoward, I'd find myself resembling a pretzel." He was silent for a moment. "Fine, I'll say it. These situations aren't easy on me, and I assume they aren't easy on you either."

"Well, they aren't the worst assignments I've ever had," Sarah admitted.

"Really?"

"I once had to crawl through a swamp for three days," she told him. "Got a leech in a place I really shouldn't mention." Chuck laughed. She clapped him on the arm. "Come on, let's get out of here. We'll go to your place so you can pack, and we'll spend the night at my place then get on that plane in the morning."

"Thank you, Sarah," Chuck said. "For everything."

"Anytime," she told him, and started for the stairs.

Chuck looked around the room, thinking of the file he had flashed on days ago. Louise Simmons. There was a leech taken off her in a very private area. He thought about all the things he knew she had been through, that she didn't know he knew, and wondered if this wasn't her toughest assignment ever.


A/N: I've been slowly pecking at this for six weeks, six weeks that have been….interesting to say the least with my personal life. Four chapters of this are written and at most it will be six, probably five.