A/N: Someone pointed out I keep having Carina shot in some of my fics. I hadn't really realized it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck

Carina opened her eyes and blinked. She saw the bright lights in the ceiling. "Well, at least I'm not in hell," she muttered. She turned her head to the side to find two cerulean eyes staring at her. "May have spoken too soon."

"Why did you do it?" Sarah asked softly. "Why would you step in front of a bullet for me?"

"I never said I wouldn't," Carina replied, looking back up at the ceiling. She really did not want to have this conversation, and wondered if she could find the strength to get up and run. She tried to get up, and realized that was a mistake.

"It's because Chuck would lose it, right? It's because he would become ineffective, right?" Carina looked over at her, but didn't answer. "Does this mean we're friends?"

"I mean, I did save you from dying. So you probably at least owe me, but yeah. I guess," Carina told her. Sarah chuckled. "I could have died." Sarah pressed her lips together. "What?"

"Well, see… we've talked to the agent that Amy pulled the gun from. He was… involved… with her."

"I thought she and Sullivan were dating?" Carina asked.

"Well, apparently she can multi-task," Sarah answered. Carina smirked, making Sarah grin. "The agent thought Amy was on the up and up. He thought she was in deep cover."

"So, you're saying he was so whipped he was stupid," Carina replied.

"Yeah," Sarah nodded, agreeing. "The agent, Brad, was supposed to have a weapon for her, in case things went bad. Brad assumed that she meant in case the bad guys attacked. Again, Brad isn't sure who the bad guys are, just that they aren't us."

"Idiot," Carina said, rolling her eyes. "So, he had her back-up weapon on him?"

"Not exactly," Sarah said, a wince on her face. "Brad thought it was more of a show piece. He had Beretta .32 cal Tomcat."

"What?" Carina said, sitting up, and wincing.

"You have a broken rib, and a small scar, but…" Sarah shrugged.

"Well, at least you're not here, with Chuck boo-hooing over you," Carina said.

"He and I both had on vests," Sarah told Carina. Carina groaned. "After Chuck and I talked to my dad, it was apparent that we were both targets. I told Chuck he had to wear a vest if I did, and he agreed."

"Talk about whipped," Carina said, shaking her head and chuckling. "If this had hit your vest you'd have a bruise, at most."

"Yeah, it seems like the most diva move was to jump in front of me," Sarah simpered. Carina glared at her. "Seriously," Sarah continued, her voice low, "thank you." She leaned in. "I should let you know, someone has been here worried about you."

"I won't take Chucky from you," Carina told her. Sarah shook her head, her grin growing.

"How are you feeling?" They heard from the doorway. Sarah looked over her shoulder at Bryce standing there, leaning on his walker. "I'm more mobile now."

"You're just scared what I'd do to you in that chair," Carina said, grinning, but looking tired.

"Hey, get some rest, you did take a bullet. Albeit, a tiny bullet," Bryce told her, grinning.

"It's always about size with you men," Carina muttered, shutting her eyes. She didn't notice Sarah get up and move, so Bryce could take her spot and watch her sleep.

}o{

"Bartowski," Casey said, walking up to Chuck. "Sullivan is in the wind."

"Figures," Chuck groused. "With Amy dead, we really have no lead now on Gaez. I mean, we've heard rumors of where he is, but…"

"Probably Miami," Casey said with a shrug. "Next time I'll make sure not to kill the person that tried to kill our teammate."

"Casey, I wasn't chastising. I'm glad you did what you did, but facts are facts; we don't have a lead," Chuck said gently.

"I'm more pissed at myself," Casey admitted. He was silent for a moment. "There is another way."

"Yeah, but she's gotta agree to it," Chuck told Casey. "I'm not making anyone join us."

"You're too soft for your own good sometimes, Bartowski," Casey said. Chuck started to retort. "Never change… you're exactly what this team needs."

Chuck was silent for a moment. "Was that a compliment?" Casey grunted a laugh, slapped him on the back, and walked off, chuckling. "No, seriously," he asked, calling after Casey. "Was it?"

}o{

"Charlie, what in the hell are you doing?" Jack asked, as he was wheeled past Chuck in the hallway. Chuck had ensured after the attempt on him and Sarah that Jack was now moved to Castle.

"Keeping you alive," Chuck told him. "My girlfriend is going to be very mad at me if I let her dad get killed."

"Give me a second, muscles," Jack told Devon, making the blond doctor laugh. "We both know if she wasn't your girlfriend, you'd do this."

"True," Chuck admitted.

"I hate to bring this up," Jack began, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. "But there's a bigger target out there than me or Angel."

"I know," Chuck said. Jack just stared at him. "I promise you, it's taken care of." Chuck looked at Devon. "Get him in his room."

"Charlie!" Jack yelled as Devon pushed him away. "CHARLIE!" Devon kept going.

"What in the hell was that?" Sarah asked, coming down the hallway. "It sounded like Dad!"

"It is. I had him moved here, for safety," Chuck told Sarah. She smiled at him, trying to fight off tears. "Go on, he'd love to see you." Sarah ran off after Devon and Jack.

"We clear?" Chuck heard in his ear from Bryce.

"Yep," Chuck said. A minute later Casey walked in, a woman at his side. "Casey, Miss Doyle."

"It's Amanda," she replied. "I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but…" She held up her hands, cuff-free. "I should probably be in handcuffs."

"No, you shouldn't, and that's what you're here for," Chuck told her. "If you would follow me to the conference room?"

"Chuck, are you sure about this?" Bryce asked into Chuck's earpiece.

"Absolutely," Chuck replied. "She has to make this decision of her own free will."

"Just because it worked with Sarah, doesn't mean it will with her mom," Bryce reminded Chuck.

"I'm well aware," Chuck replied.

"I figured you were," Bryce said. "Never change, man. Never change."

}o{

A few minutes later found Chuck sitting in front of Amanda and Casey. "In case you were wondering, he's not here to guard you. He's here to protect you." Amanda blinked, confused. "Amanda Doyle, you are a free woman. You have served your time on your crimes."

"You actually believe I'm going to fall for this?" Amanda asked.

"Hang on just a second," Chuck said. He took out the earpiece, walked over to the door, and tossed it outside. Shutting the door, he turned around, and returned to his seat

"Why did you do that?" Casey asked. "That earpiece cost money."

"I shouldn't have been wearing it," Chuck replied with a shrug as he sat down. "I apologize," he said to Amanda. "I have a lot going on here, and forgot to take it out before I came in. Now, what is it that I think you're going to fall for?" Amanda started to speak. "I'm so sorry, has anyone offered you anything to drink?" Amanda gave him a skeptical look. "Oh, right… you think that I'd put something in it to make you… pliable."

Amanda was silent for a few moments. "This folksy act is something," she said. Chuck looked over at Casey, and then back down to the folders in front of him, a grin on his face. "But apparently you can't hold it."

"You misunderstand," Chuck said softly. "Someone else once accused me of the same thing." He pushed the folder over to her. "These court records show you are released." Amanda looked up at him, not trusting herself to look at the actual records. "Many of the charges against you were trumped up, and they have been dismissed. You have served your time, Miss Doyle. You are free to go."

"Just like that?" Amanda asked, skeptical.

"Yes, but there is a reason the charges were found to be trumped up," Chuck told her. "There was a certain FBI agent, named Amy." A hard look came across Amanda's face. "She recently died."

"How?" Amanda asked.

"I shot her," Casey said. "After she shot one of our teammates."

"I see," Amanda replied. "Why do I think there is a but coming?"

"You know she worked for Gaez?" Chuck asked. Amanda nodded. "Gaez now knows you're out, and that Amy is dead."

"Shit," Amanda muttered.

"I could use your help in taking down Gaez," Chuck said. Amanda scoffed. "I figured that would be your answer, so I would like to offer you protection, and let you stay here."

"Why the hell would I stay here?" Amanda asked him.

"Because your husband… sort of… and daughter are staying here," Chuck told her.

Amanda just stared at him. "Why?" she asked softly.

"You're probably not going to believe this, but I fell in love with your daughter," Chuck said softly. He was silent, not sure what else to say.

"What is it? Tell me," Amanda demanded.

"How much do you know about Brian's… Jack's… health?" Chuck asked. Amanda's face went white. "He's currently fighting cancer."

"Where is he?" Amanda asked, standing. Casey quickly stood, taken by surprise at how quickly Amanda moved.

"It's fine, Casey," Chuck told him. He turned back to Amanda. "Would you like me to walk you down to his room, or have Casey do it?"

"You know I could whip your ass and run, right?" Amanda asked.

"I do, but I also know how much you love Jack and Sarah-"

"Who the hell's Sarah, and what do you know about me and Jack, anyway?" Amanda demanded.

"Sorry, Samantha changed her name to Sarah," Chuck told her. "I also know you went to jail to save him and your daughter. That's love."

Amanda was silent for a moment. "You remind me a bit of him, you know," Amanda told Chuck. "Both of you are too damn charming for your own good." Chuck laughed at that. "Well, come on, you better walk me down there. If you charmed my daughter the way Brian – or rather, Jack – charmed me, I guess I'll be your mother-in-law someday." Chuck's eyes widened, as Casey burst out laughing.

}o{

She stood there, looking through the window in the door at her daughter and the man she loved. "He's gonna make it," Casey said gently.

"Of course he is," Amanda replied. "He's a fighter."

"He is," Casey agreed. "But he does much better when you are in his corner." Amanda looked up at Casey, and nodded. "There's something I have to know; now that you're out, how much danger are they in?"

"However much you think, triple it," Amanda said softly. "Is that kid for real?"

Casey grunted a laugh. "Yeah," he said, nodding. "He wants the best for everyone."

"That can get you hurt," Amanda said softly.

"Speaking from experience?" Casey asked her. She gave him a look, and then looked back at Jack. "I'll give you some privacy."

"I never meant for them to get caught up in this," Amanda said, looking tired.

"No one does," Casey replied. "Shit happens, but when you have a chance to fix it…" He trailed off, shrugged, and walked away.

Amanda looked through the window. She was looking at the life she always dreamed of, even when she was a little girl… growing up in a neighborhood that said she was one day going to be a stay-at-home housewife. She refused to be defined, and began to devise escapes from that situation. She began to observe, come up with ideas, and theories, until she began to see things coming when no one else could.

She could see the irony now. Then, she wanted adventure. Now, all she wanted was simple and normal. She knew she'd never be a typical 'housewife', but Brian never wanted that. He wanted her to be who she was. And right now… right this very minute… she was a woman in love who hadn't seen her family in many years. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

"Is this a quiet family moment, or can anyone join in?" she asked. She looked at the two faces, staring at her in shock. For a moment, she was scared. In all her life, in all the things she had done, the only time she had been scared was when she wasn't sure if Brian would love her, for who she was. Now… now she was scared that either of these two in front of her, or possibly both, wouldn't love her.

"Mandy," Jack said softly, a sparkle in his eyes.

"Mom," Sarah said, her hands to her mouth, shock on her face. Sarah took a hesitant step towards her mom, and then paused. Amanda held out her arms, praying her daughter would come to her. A second later, she felt herself being hugged. "Mom."

"Baby," Amanda said softly. "I've missed you so much." Amanda stepped back, her hands on Sarah's arms, looking at her. Amanda brushed some stray hair out of Sarah's face. "My beautiful baby girl." Sarah giggled. Amanda looked past her, to the smile of the man she loved. "And you," Amanda said softly, as Sarah turned to look at her dad. "You have cancer and didn't tell me?"

"You were a little busy," Jack said, shrugging and grinning.

"I wasn't doing a damn thing, but waiting for my sentence to end," Amanda told him. She moved to his bed, sat on it, and leaning in, held him in her arms. "God, I've missed you, Brian."

"Missed you, Mandy, but we're Jack and Emma now," he reminded her.

"Not right now, later," Amanda told him. "Right now, we're just Brian and Mandy."

"Okay," he said, holding open his far arm, as Sarah came around to the other side of the bed. The three held each other. Chuck stood by the window, watching, none of them knowing he was there.

"And you think this is gonna help us get Gaez?" Casey asked, standing to the side of Chuck.

"Have no idea, don't care," Chuck admitted. "We put a family back together, Casey. That's the important thing."

"The important thing is about us not getting killed," Casey reminded him. Chuck turned to Casey. "I get it kid, I get what you want, but I have to say this. Your group has been breached before by the enemy." He nodded toward the window, and then three in the other room. "That… that's a con artist, who knows how to play people. If she can find an angle and exploit it… that's what she knows. It's like how Carina is always going to be Carina."

"Except that one time she didn't," Chuck reminded Casey.

Casey blew out a breath. "You're playing a dangerous game, kid. I get what you're saying, but you don't know what her intentions are."

"I don't," Chuck agreed.

"And you can't trust Jack and Sarah to be impartial about this," Casey continued.

"I can't," Chuck agreed.

Casey stared at Chuck for a moment. "Then, Kid… what the hell are you going to do?"

"You're in charge of this, Casey," Chuck told the bigger man, shocking him. "What you say goes. If you say she leaves here and she can't come back, then she can't."

"Kid, I'm not good with this shit," Casey told Chuck. "This… feelings stuff… it's your area."

Chuck turned to Casey. "This isn't about feelings, Casey. This is about doing this right. This is about protecting us. You won't lose sight of things like Sarah, or Jack, or even myself, would. I'd leave this in Carina's hands, but she's got a gunshot to recover from."

"It's not that bad of a gunshot," Casey argued. Chuck gave him a flat look, making him sigh. Casey looked past Chuck and into the window, looking at the three. "You sure, Kid? Whatever I say goes?"

"I'm sure," Chuck told Casey.

}o{

Many days later, Miami, Florida

A woman entered the night club, the pulsating music and flashing lights enveloping her. She made her way to the VIP section and started up the stairs, when a hand grabbed her. Two seconds later, the man was on the floor. "Ma'am, you can't go up there."

"Let her up," came a familiar voice from the top of the stairs. "And you're lucky she didn't dislocate your arm."

The bouncer looked unhappy, but let her go and moved out of her way. She started up the stairs, feeling the eyes on her. She chuckled, knowing that some of those eyes truly believed that she had gotten lucky with what had just happened. As she topped the stairs, she saw some familiar faces, and some that she did not know. One that she knew gestured for her to have a seat across from him.

Gaez was sitting on a couch, a drink in his hand. Amanda sat down on the chair across from him. "You've been out for quite some time," Gaez said. "Why has it taken you so long to come find me?"

"Most of the people I knew are now gone…one way or another," Amanda replied. Gaez nodded that he understood what she was saying. "I had to go see Brian."

"And how is he?" Gaez asked, smirking.

"He has cancer, Gaez," Amanda replied.

The smirk left Gaez's face. "I am sorry," he said.

"No you're not," Amanda said, chuckling. "I know you, Gaez, you're happy he's fighting that monster. The entire time I could have been by his side helping him, but instead I was in prison."

"That's not who you are," Gaez said, leaning forward

Amanda looked away, looked over the club. It was such an upgrade from that bar in Boston. "No, it isn't," she agreed softly. She turned back to Gaez, and saw the shock on his face. "Here's the deal: Leave Brian and my kid alone. I'm not killing anyone and I'm sure as hell not sleeping with you, but other than that… you need someone that knows all the angles."

Gaez sat back, and took a drink. "I don't trust you," he said with a shrug.

Amanda laughed. "You shouldn't," she told him. "What the hell do you have to lose?"

Gaez was quiet for a moment. "Tony," he said. One of the men sitting nearby perked up. "Call off the dogs on Brian and his kid."

"You sure boss?" Tony asked. Gaez gave him a look. "Sorry, consider it done."

"So, what are we doing?" Amanda asked. Gaez gave her a look, making her shake her head. "Do you want me to do anything, or just sit around looking good."

"You do that very well," Gaez said, a lecherous smile on his face. Amanda glared at him, and he simply shrugged, amused with himself. "What do you know about gun running?"

"Very little," Amanda said. "But, a con's a con, regardless of what we're after."

"I'm meeting with a new potential client tomorrow, a man named Vincent Smith," Gaez told her. "Heard of him?"

"Maybe," Amanda said with a shrug. "The name sounds familar, but it's a common name."

Gaez nodded. "I want you to accompany me to the meet," he told her, as he refilled his glass, and filled one for her.

"Got it," Amanda told him, reaching for the glass. "And my family?"

"Your family is off my radar," Gaez assured her. He lifted his glass. "To money."

"To money," Amanda agreed, lifting the glass that was poured for her.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it. Review if you can. Take care of yourselves.