A/N: This is the end of the story. I hope you like it. There is a small chance that I will do a very short epilogue but I may not. I like how this ends the way it is. Let me know what you think.

Sarah vs The Missing Asset

Chapter Twenty Four

"Are you sure Casey will let me in?" Sarah said as she walked through the doors of the Orange Orange for the first time in months.

"Beckman's orders, she specifically asked that I bring you to this briefing." Chuck walked straight to the secret door and punched in the code.

"That's unusual. Do you know what it's all about?" Sarah continued.

"No, but I can tell you that Casey just about dropped his teeth when Beckman told him to let you down here. He's received enormous pleasure keeping you out of here."

"Sadistic pleasure if you ask me," she said smiling as she looked at Casey grimacing up at her.

Casey and Amanda Irving were both already there as Chuck and Sarah descended the metal staircase to the secret spy chamber. As they joined the two agents on the floor, the monitor flashed on showing General Beckman in her usual expression.

"Good morning everyone," she said and then looked pointedly at Sarah. "It's good to see you again Ms. Walker."

"Thank you General," Sarah said ignoring Casey's unmistakable growling to her right. She dipped her head trying to hide the smile on her face. She didn't want to anger him further.

"You're probably wondering what this is all about," the general said as she looked at each one of them. "The short answer is we have a new Commander-in-Chief and… some new marching orders." General Beckman looked directly at Chuck. "These new marching orders have a direct impact on you Agent Carmichael."

Chuck and Sarah exchanged worried glances.

"What do you mean, General?" Sarah asked feeling that old need to protect her one time asset.

The general visibly sighed. "We have developed the means to safely remove the intersect from Chuck Bartowski."

"What!" Chuck's voice was excited. He looked at Sarah with an expression of pure joy.

Amanda walked to Sarah and laid her hand on her arm smiling warmly. She knew what this news meant to the couple. Even Casey's scowl had vanished with this news.

But amidst the celebration in the Orange Orange, the general continued. "But we would like for you to consider leaving it intact."

Sarah looked to the monitor astounded. "You can't ask him to do that," she said her voice raising a level. She knew if there was a legitimate reason, Chuck would feel compelled to oblige the general.

"I want to see all of you tomorrow in my office. At least hear what I have to say."

Sarah stepped toward the monitor. "General, do you know how long-"

"Sarah," the general said cutting her off. "Come to Washington. Let's talk. I really do think you will want to hear what I have to say."

The whole group, but in particular, Sarah and Casey looked at the general with slack jaws. It was the first time any of them had heard the general call anyone by their first name.

"General, I can't. I start a new job in two days," Sarah said.

"Give me a name and number. I will take care of everything. After hearing what I have to say, if you still want the intersect removed. We'll remove it the same day."

Chuck and Sarah were in a daze. They had dreamed of this day. They had agreed to wait until the intersect was removed before they moved forward with their own personal plans.

They looked at each other with happy smiles. They were looking at the end of a long and sometimes painful road. But no more, they could think about their future now.

The general looked at the two and had to repress a smile herself. "Ms. Walker…Agent Carmichael, I want you both to come to this meeting with an open mind. I have an extraordinary proposal for you." Then the general did something else they had never seen her do. She smiled warmly.

"Either way Agent Carmichael, I suppose this is the last time I address you as your superior…good luck to you no matter what you decide to do." She looked again to everyone. "It's been my honor working with all of you."

The screen went blank.

The four people occupying the lower level of the Orange Orange stared at the screen long after it died.

"I wonder what she has to propose," Casey said breaking his gaze from the monitor to look at his companions.

"I don't have a clue but I've got to get a company jet in here to pick us up. Somehow I don't think we will have any trouble getting one," Amanda said walking up the stairs. She left the building to make the travel arrangements.

"Casey, Chuck and Sarah followed Amanda up the stairs and out of the building. Chuck and Sarah went to their apartment and Casey went to his.

X=X

"Sarah it's here. The day we've been dreaming about is finally here," Chuck said excitedly as he paced around the apartment.

"I know but I can't help but wonder what Beckman has up her sleeve."

"Does it matter?"

Sarah looked at him with that look of hers. "I don't want you to automatically turn her down because you think I'll be disappointed. Let's hear what she has to say then we talk about it. If I don't like it, I promise you I will let you know."

He smiled at her. "I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight."

"I don't see that as a problem."

"You clearly don't know how psyched I am," he said.

"You clearly don't know what I have in mind to take your mind off of it."

X=X

Chuck, Sarah, Amanda and Casey waited in the general's office at the Pentagon. When she came into the office, Casey stood and saluted.

"At ease, Major."

Casey sat down and ignored the smirk that Chuck gave him.

"Thank you all for coming," the general said. "I know you're all curious as to why you're here. So I will get right to the point." She put on a pair of glasses and read a memo before looking back to her guests.

"You see the new president is a hands on man. He recently read some reports from the early missions with Casey, Walker and Bartowski. I'm not sure where he got word of these operations but he did and when he found out about Mr. Bartowski's condition, he insisted that we correct the situation. But then he read through the complete files and he became very impressed. Impressed with all of you but in particular with an Agent Charles Carmichael. When he found out that Bartowski and Carmichael was one in the same he came up with a plan."

"Any questions so far?" the general asked. Seeing none she continued. "What the President of the United States has authorized me to offer you four is the formation of a top secret organization. Answering only to him. You will have complete autonomy to carry out specialized missions that you are uniquely qualified to complete. Your jurisdiction is the world." The general stopped and regarded her guests.

To say they were shocked was the understatement of the year. Amanda was more than shocked. She was worried because she knew that she and Greg had taken a huge step in getting together. She was worried that moving to another organization would put a damper on the situation.

Chuck saw the look on her face and knew immediately what her problem was. He then looked at Sarah. He almost burst out laughing. Both Sarah and Casey looked like the proverbial kids in a candy shop. Their excitement was palatable. Chuck knew with one look at Sarah's face that he did not have to ask what she wanted.

He turned back to Amanda who still looked concerned. Turning to the general he cleared his voice.

"General, there are a few conditions we would have to insist upon," he said. He did not see the look of absolute terror on Casey's face as he thought Chuck was about to ruin the dream job for any real spook.

"Just name them," the general said.

"We'll need a team. A specialized team of professionals for technical analysis."

"I'm sure that can be arranged," the general said.

"But not just any professionals," he continued. "Professionals we're comfortable with."

"Who is it you want Mr. Bartowski?"

"Project Room Four of the CIA, General."

Amanda began to smile as she understood what Chuck had just done for her.

"I see. I'm sure that is doable assuming they agree." She looked at the group. "Do you accept?"

Chuck looked at Sarah, then to Casey and finally to Amanda. He knew the answer was yes in all cases. He turned to the general.

"Yes Ma'am, we accept."

"Very well. The president will be pleased. Oh, there is just one other thing…"

"Yes," Chuck answered for all.

"We have to talk about the leader of this team. He has to be a man of integrity."

Casey smiled and stuck his chest out.

"He has to have the wherewithal to deal with any situation that can arise and he has to have the respect of the group. That's why the president insists upon Charles Carmichael as the point man.

Casey looked as though the general had just spoken Swahili.

That led the general to continue. "So, can the rest of you work under Charles Carmichael?"

Sarah expression dissolved into a smile as she looked at Amanda. She was not going to let this opportunity pass without giving it back to Casey. He had been merciless to her since she left the agency. She gave Amanda the signal to start with her eyes.

"I can work under Agent Carmichael and I know Sarah can work under him," Amanda said.

"Oh, I love working under him." Sarah looked at Casey.

"I know you have a lot more experience working under Agent Carmichael than I do but when I had the opportunity to work under him, I really enjoyed it," Amanda said while trying to keep a straight face.

Sarah shook her head as though she understood completely and then turned to Casey. "I'm sure you'll love working under Agent Carmichael too, Casey." Her smile was positively lecherous.

He didn't say a word. He knew when he didn't stand a chance and just took it. Although, if looks could kill.

The general was clueless. "Is there something I'm missing here?" she asked.

"No Ma'am," we are just happy with the organizational structure."

"Very well then. There are a couple of details we will have to work out. For one, Agent Walker, you need to go to Langley and reactivate your status. You all have a meeting with the president this afternoon. You'll be given time to find a location, procure the equipment you need, and develop the covers you need to work with all the Intelligence communities in the world."

"What about budgets and other like details?" Chuck asked.

"The president will explain in detail or one of his men, the operation he has in mind and how it will be financed. You four will not worry about such matters. Your jobs will be to catch the bad guys…understood?"

The four nodded their heads, shook hands with the general and left the Pentagon for a meeting with the President of the United States.

X=X

"Sir, I don't understand how you learned of my situation?" Chuck said.

"That's a mystery at this point. I received an email from 'Millie'. She had a number of files attached for me to read," the president said.

"How did she get your email address?"

"I don't know. I've had our best IT guys working on it and we haven't been able to figure out how she accomplished it." The president looked at Chuck pointedly. "You wouldn't know anything about it would you Agent Carmichael?"

Chuck felt like crawling into his shoes. "Uh, I'm not absolutely certain at this point, sir. I will look into it."

Barack smiled at him. "Very well then, I don't expect to ever receive another email from Millie…is that understood?"

"Completely, absolutely…it couldn't be clearer, sir."

"You don't know the trouble that girl caused me. I almost had to give up my blackberry. I would have been sorely disappointed had that happened."

It was sobering to be called out by the President of the United States. Everyone in the room felt the weight of those words.

"I give you my word sir, it will never happen again." Chuck looked at Amanda and silently received agreement that she would speak to Greg.

"OK, I'm out of time but I want you all to read these," he said handing each of the agents a packet. These are the missions I would like for you to tackle. I don't care what order you take them in. That's your decision. But I do have one other dictate that I want to make." Barak looked from Sarah to Amanda. "From this moment on, there will be no get the job done no matter what' kind of mentality. I've read mission reports from both of you and while I applaud your tenacity for protecting your country, I do not expect any of you to go beyond what you are comfortable with. There are limits to what each of you is expected to do. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes sir," the agents said in unison.

"Good. I doubt if we ever see each other face to face again. But I want you to know that I wish you all the luck in the world," he said standing to shake each hand. "Oh and don't forget…take a couple of weeks off. You all have earned it. You know how to reach me. Let me know when you get started."

Each agent said goodbye to the president and they left the oval office together. As they walked out of the entrance to the White House, they all had smiles on their faces.

"So boss, when and where do you want to see us again?" Amanda asked.

"Los Angeles in two weeks. That should give us enough time to wind down. I've got to talk to Greg about a new job and then I've got one other thing to do. I'll see you at the Orange Orange on the 29th," he said.

Amanda could I get a ride with you? I think I would rather go back to the hotel. You don't mind do you Chuck?" Sarah said.

Chuck smiled at her and shook his head. "I'll see you tonight," he said.

X=X

Chuck was nervous. He had dreamed of doing what he was planning to do for two and a half years. Most of the time those dreams seemed just that…dreams.

But now, he had a ring in his pocket and the wherewithal to make his dreams come true. There was just one thing standing in the way of his dream.

A single word.

That's all he needed to hear to feel as though he could breathe again, just one word. He had heard the word used over and over today. It was a simple word that no one thought anything about. But Chuck thought about it.

One word held the key to his happiness. If he didn't hear that word tonight, then he didn't know what he would do. Not that he didn't think he would hear it, he felt sure that he would. But there was always doubt. Until he actually slid the ring on her finger and heard her say yes, he would continue to feel as though a swarm of bees had taken up residence in his stomach.

He planned and he schemed and after a lot of calling in favors, twisting of arms and just plain pleading, he finally had the night planned out.

He knew that one of the few music artists that Sarah enjoyed listening to was Alison Krauss. He also knew that the recent Grammy award winning duo of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss were playing in Washington tonight. Because Chuck had a favor to call in with English rocker Tyler Martin, who knew Robert Plant very well, he had the perfect plan in place.

So it was that Chuck found himself on the way to a concert in Washington DC. Everything was in place and he was nervous as he had ever been. He tried to keep it from Sarah but he caught the strange little looks she gave him from time to time.

He parked the car and escorted her inside. He had to maneuver her to just the right spot without her realizing that anything special was going on. They made their way through the maze of people. Chuck weaved through the crowd and found the spot he was looking for.

"Is this OK?" he asked her.

"Sure," she said as she looked around the auditorium. "Remember the last time you and I were at a concert together?"

Chuck laughed as he thought of the Tyler Martin concert. "Yeah, I hope this one doesn't have any guns involved."

They talked and laughed as they waited on the concert to begin. The time went by quickly and before they knew it, out walked the band and right after that, Alison and Robert came out to a thunderous ovation.

"Thank you Washington DC.," Robert said.

Alison waved to the crowd.

"You know Alison, normally we'd go right into the show but I have something I need to do first," Robert said.

Alison looked at the crowd and indicated she didn't have a clue what he was talking about by her upturned shoulders.

"In the audience tonight, there is a couple." He waited for the applause to die down. "His name is Chuck and her name is Sarah."

At that moment, the spotlight lit on Chuck and Sarah.

"Sarah, Chuck has a question he would like to ask you," Robert said.

With that, Chuck went to one knee and opened the ring case. "Sarah Walker…will you marry me," he said. Although no one in the crowd could hear him, they all knew what he had said.

Anyone who knew Sarah would have said that in that moment she had never looked happier. She looked as though she was about to respond and then looked up to the stage.

Alison stepped up to the microphone and cleared her voice. "Chuck, I have been instructed to tell you that Sarah says YES."

Chuck looked up at his fiancé with a bewildered expression. "I don't…how did you?-"

"Well are you going to give me the ring or not?" Sarah asked smiling.

Chuck stood and slipped the ring on her finger. The crowd exploded as they kissed passionately holding on to each other feeling the perfectness of this moment.

When they stopped, the spotlight fell off of them and the first song began.

"How did you know what I was going to do?" he asked amazed at what she had done. .

Sarah smiled. "I'm a spy. It's what I do."

The End.