The Bartowski's are Getting a Divorce. I own nothing pure entertainment and creativity. Please review.

CHAPTER VIII

Thanks for the reviews, comments and ideas. Now back to the final chapter.

Chuck and Juan were forced into an office over looking the compound. Chuck could tell that things were moving pretty fast, compared to the last time he was there. The trucks he saw were now fully loaded with tarped pallets and heavily guarded men. Chuck continued to look till one of the men behind him hit him with the base of his gun, knocking Chuck to the floor. Chuck got up and could feel the warm blood pooling at the base of his neck. Juan followed but didn't want the same treatment. Tossed into the office the door was closed, as people ran back and forth outside.

Moments later the door opened, and three men entered. Chuck recognized one of them as the first guy he had knocked out a week before and the second guy was the one who had a few some not so nice punches to his gut. The third guy was Sergio. The first two men instantly recognized Chuck and but Sergio wasn't too sure at first, till he remembered him kissing Vic at the night club. Sergio walked over to Juan. "So, you are looking for something?"

Juan looked up. "No, just waiting for Vic. She told me to wait for her here."

"Did she now?"

"Yeah."

"And this guy?"

"Don't know, he was here when I arrived." Chuck gave him a dirty look.

Sergio walked back towards Chuck. "You're that guy that Vic said you two had a thing. And that you couldn't let her go."

"Well, she is a catch."

"Funny. Yes, she is a catch. But its also funny that her current boyfriend and her secret lover just happened to be in the same place at the same time."

"C-o-incidence?"

"Maybe." Sergio turned and punched Chuck's right side. Chuck fell to his knees. Sergio nodded for the other two guys to pick him up.

Sergio grabbed Chuck's face with his hand. "But what I don't get, the other day, Juan was making out with Vic in an alley supposedly trying to find someone for me and you two show up here without her?

"Boss." One of the first guy interrupted. "I told you the last time we found this guy, Vic beat him up but got away, it's the same guy. He came in the side door and the next thing I was out." The second guy also spoke. "Vic and I were alone in the room with this guy and Vic gave him a run over." Sergio walked up to him and saw the faint bruises still visible on his face. "And to add to this reunion, you showed up at my club claiming to be her lover, kiss her and you still stick around. My sister was right?"

"Your sister, have I met her. She sounds delightful?"

Juan whispered to Chuck. 'What are you doing?'

Chuck never responded.

"Leave my sister out of this."

"Well you brought her up."

Chuck feeling pretty good.

Sergio walked around the room. "Get them a chair." The two men then forced Chuck and Juan to sit, zip tying their arms behind them. Sergio looked at Chuck and Juan. "So, who's going to tell me why you're here?"

Chuck and Juan stayed silent. Frustrated Sergio left, leaving the two men outside. Juan nervously tried to loosen his ties. Chuck tried to wiggle out of his as well, but unless they were cut, the chance of breaking free would involve you breaking your thumb. Chuck didn't like pain, but between his rib pain and his head that was throbbing, what would a broken thumb do. Chuck slid his right hand closer to his right, trying to get the right amount of torque to break his thumb, the thought of breaking his thumb wasn't going to be easy.

An hour later Chuck figured, had gone by. The two men came and grabbed Juan taking him out. Chuck could hear Juan's flesh being used as a punching bag there was more to what Chuck was hearing. When Chuck heard a woman's voice. The punching stopped. Moments later Juan was dragged inside and forced onto the other chair. Chuck looked over to Juan as his face showed exactly what he had heard. Chuck knew he had to act fast.

Sarah waited outside trying to get inside, but after Chuck and Juan were forced inside the warehouse they tightened up security. Casey ran back trying to get in the way he did the first time but nothing. "Any word?"

"No." Sarah paced the street.

"Call Sergio."

"And tell him what? That I'm outside and you have the wrong guy."

"No, see what he says, how he responds."

Sarah dialed Sergio's number. Sergio heading back to the office, looking at his phone. Motioning to the others to stay quiet. "Sergio, Vic here? Got some word on Elena."

"Do you?" His tone was snarky.

"Yeah, I guess that someone else is looking for her as well?"

Sergio wasn't sure if this was truth or just a play. "Who's after her as well?"

Sarah looked at Casey. She couldn't say the CIA/DEA. She whispered to Casey. 'What should I tell him?'

Casey whispered back. 'Tell him Nevaeh is looking for him.'

Sarah put the phone back to her mouth. "I got word that Nevaeh might be after Elena but you as well? And that Juan and I were coming to meet you."

Sergio knew that Juan might be telling the truth. But that didn't explain why Chuck

was there again.

"Sergio, can we meet?" Sergio still wasn't convinced that Vic was being straight with him. Pausing, he put the phone to his mouth. "No somethings come up."

Sarah shrugged her shoulders. As Casey watched and waited. Then Sarah heard what sounded like Maria voice.

"Vic I got to go. Will call you later."

Sarah put her phone down.

"And?"

"He knows something. He has Chuck and Juan."

"You don't know that for sure. Then why doesn't he want to meet?"

Both Casey and Sarah looked across the street.

"If Juan's been made maybe then Chuck is..."

"Chucks not a spy but he was with me at the club and if Sergio makes that connection."

"Chuck is smart. He'll find a way out."

Sarah nervousness just went up a notch. Sarah looked to her right as Carina showed up after sending Ramon back in.

"What's happening?"

"Don't know."

"And Chuck is inside?"

"Yeah." Casey spoke for Sarah.

"Well I sent Ramon back, at least we have someone in on the inside."

Sarah wasn't convinced.

"I know what your doing?"

Sarah scanning the building.

"I know you want inside but we can't risk that yet. Both your alias's are compromised and it didn't sound like he was to interested in knowing that Nevaeh might be in the picture again."

"You don't know what I want." Sarah looking at Casey. "Sorry, its just."

"I know, its Chuck."

Those words were like knives digging into her soul. Flashes of the last few days fluttered through her mind like a moving picture, the laughs, the kisses, making love for the first time. It wasn't suppose to go down like this.

Carina walked towards Sarah. "S-arah, I might have an idea."

"Casey can you hack into Ramon phone or something get ears on the inside?"

Casey looked at Carina. "Your phone." Carina pulled out her phone and passed it to Casey. Casey texted Ramon. "We need eyes on the inside." Turning the corner of the stairs, Ramon stopped when he heard his phone. Reading is text he texted back. "Ok."

Ramon dialed back, Carina answers seeing Ramon's phone on camera. Ramon switched the direction nods into the camera. Seconds later the three saw what looked like set of stairs. Ramon fiddled with the camera and placed it in his jacket pocket facing out. The three continue to watch as Ramon headed down the hall seeing Sergio. "Where have you been?"

Ramon staring straight. "Just taking care of a few things. What's the look for?"

Sergio couldn't explain so he had him follow him to the office. Sarah held her breath. Sergio walked in first, opening the door so that Ramon could enter. Ramon looked up seeing Chuck and Juan tied to chairs. Sarah's eyes instantly went to Chuck. She saw his collar had blood on it. Ramon then turned facing Juan. The three saw that he wasn't looking to good.

"Why is Juan tied up and who is this guy?"

"They were snooping around outside."

Ramon looked back and stood in front of Chuck. Chuckling slightly. "Aren't you the one that Vic slapped in the club?"

Chuck faked laughed with him. Then Ramon leaned in. 'They are watching.' Chuck looked up as Ramon pointed to the camera. 'Blondie, Red Head and muscles.'

Chuck swallowed then looked at the camera. Sarah had seen that look before. It was her least favourite look he had. Sarah remembered that same look when Longshore had taken Chuck to the rooftop and they were saying their last goodbyes.

Ramon walked back and leaned against the desk. "So, what are you going to do with them?"

"Don't know, and I don't know who to trust. Plus, my sister is here."

Ramon looked at Chuck and Juan. "Does she still want Elena?"

"Who knows, but when she hears that these two were sniffing around."

Juan looked up. "I wouldn't say I was snooping. I told you I was waiting for Vic, and I don't know this guy."

Sergio turned back to look at Juan. "Well let me introduce you to." Turning to Chuck. "What is your name?"

"Bruce."

The three looked at each other. Only Sarah knew the reason why he said that name. "Well Bruce. Meet Juan Carlos. Juan Carlos meet your girlfriend's boy toy. I guess he couldn't stay away, cause the other night he showed up at my club and they sure put on a show. I mean the lip lock. It was well, so real that if you didn't think they weren't a couple before that kiss you would definitely think that after that kiss. At the same time Chuck and Sarah cheeks drew a faint redness.

Juan looked at Chuck. "Your him?"

Sergio stopped. "You're the one that has been sharing her bed."

Sarah turned to listen hoping that he wouldn't answer. Chuck looked at Juan. "I guess your not a Don Juan, if she came looking for me. And that kiss was well not to complain, or anything it was pretty darn good." Juan rocked his chair knocking into Chuck making Chuck fall over. "Just go with it." Chuck nodded. Ramon and Sergio picked Juan up then Chuck. "So how long?"

"Awhile."

"You followed her."

"Obviously. I guess you couldn't cut it."

Juan started to move again.

Sergio yelled. "That's enough!"

"Get over it. Vic gets around. I don't care I just want to know why you're here."

"I told you."

"Me too."

"I might believe Juan's story, but yours."

Chuck could tell that Sergio wasn't the smartest man in the room, for him this could work. "Sergio, your right." Sergio faced Chuck. "You want to know why I am was snooping around. Well its simple. Follow the other guy, he would eventually take you to the girl. And I bet that Vic is near by."

Sergio remembered that Vic had called. The more he thought about it the more it made sense. Sergio walked to the door. Ramon walked closer to Chuck. "Ramon come on."

Ramon shrugged his shoulders slightly.

The room was quiet.

Juan titled his head back. "Man, that was close."

"They were watching."

"Who?"

"Ramon's on our side. His phone was picking everything up."

"So now what?"

"We need to get out of these ties."

Sarah, Carina and Casey continued to watch as Sergio and Ramon walked down the hall towards another room. Walking in, there sat Maria. "What's going on down there?"

"Nothing."

"Brother when you say nothing I know your lying to me."

Turning to Ramon. "Ramon what's going on?"

"Just a misunderstanding, right Sergio?"

Sergio looked up at his sister then back to Ramon. "Yeah, just a misunderstanding."

"Good, any word on Vic?"

"Yeah, she called, wants to meet. Got some news. And she mentioned Nevaeh."

Maria got up. "She said what?"

"She said that Nevaeh is after Elena as well."

Maria loathed that woman. Not only for the fact that she was sleeping with her husband or that she got him killed. She herself wanted to do that but that she got the USB stolen. With out the USB drive Maria's future would go up in flames.

"Why would Vic say that Nevaeh was after Elena?"

"It's not only Elena that she is after, but Vic said that she wants me as well."

Ramon threw another curve ball into the game. "Maybe Nevaeh hired Elena, maybe Nevaeh knew about the USB. Maybe Nevaeh is Elena?"

Casey was impressed, but would that thought pass Maria's suspicious nature.

"No, Nevaeh is Spanish, last name Guadalupe and Elena is French/Polish. She was the one that we trusted to get our transports across the border. She had connections that we thought were legit. She knew what to say, how to move etc…. Rafael was hooked. They were an item for almost two years. Then I found out that our money was being moved, contacts disappearing, product not being shipped. I confronted Rafael and as mad as I was I needed the USB that she had created with all the codes and manifests that we would need, to cross the border with out anyone asking questions. But when I found out that her contacts were that of the CIA. I told Rafael and he said that he would take care of it. The next thing I knew he flew to Paris with her and after a weekend in a swanky Hotel, he found out that she had made a called state side after they got there, asking for help. Then he died at a Consulate dinner."

"How do you know he had the USB on him."

"Because Francisco helped get rid of her body, dumping it in a field outside the park by the hotel and he saw Rafael slip it into his suit jacket. When I went to claim his things, it was gone. I checked everyone else's items as well. The only other person not accounted for was a guest named Elena Truffaut and so no USB."

Ramon shifted making his jacket lapel cover the screen. Carina tried to turn the volume up. The three continued to listen.

Sergio walked over to his sister. "And you think that Vic is Elena?"

"Yes, and why would Vic mention the name Neveah? She's been dead for four years."

Carina looked at her phone no connection. "Now what?" Looking at her phone. "Call him back?"

Sarah grabbed her phone and texted back. "Tell Chuck and Juan to run, we are outside."

"And what good is that going to do."

"Sarah. Where are you going?"

"Inside."

Just as Sarah was heading to the building a transport drove out of the compound.

"Do we follow?"

"I'm not." Sarah looking at Carina.

Carina just stood there. Carina got on her phone and reached for Casey's keys. "Agent Miller, in pursuit of a 18 wheel transport heading west on….."

Carina drove off following the transport.

Ramon felt his phone, pulling it out of his pocket. "Tell Chuck and Juan to run, we are outside."

Acting quickly, "Boss, what do you want me to do with Bruce and Juan."

"Who?"

Sergio looked at Ramon. "Nothing." Then looked at his sister. "Its just some men that work for us."

Chuck needed to move as it had been too long since Ramon and Sergio had left. Taking his right hand, he grabbed his left hand and felt for the joint. He had heard Casey say hundreds of times, 'If your ever in zip ties and need to get out try to dislocate your thumb.'

Chuck closed his eyes and on one two three he pressed the thumb joint. He felt it dislocate. The pain shot through his wrist and up his arm. Slipping his hand out he brought his left hand up and kept it close to his stomach. Walking over to Juan he grabbed a letter opener and pried the tie open. Helping Juan, they make it to the door.

Juan stumbled as Chuck tried not to think of the pain in his hand. Juan headed down the hall looking for a phone. Finally finding but couldn't call out. Chuck looked for something to alleviate his pain, only finding some duct tape and some card board. Quickly making a splint, he wrapped up his thumb the best he could.

Coming to a set of stairs they see a way out. As Chuck holds Juan up they reach the stairs. Chucks looks up to see four men coming from their far left towards them on the second floor. Turning back two more show up. Chuck decides to use his last card, hopefully it does the trick. Sitting Juan down Chuck flashes just in time as the first two men receive Chuck's first blows. The men are startled but come back for more as Chuck flips and slams his fist into the taller mans throat then turning slightly making his foot come in contact with his face. The man falls to the floor out cold. The second of the two come charging Chuck but he ducks slightly and the second man flies over Chuck falling over the balcony, out cold. The other four men surround Chuck as they charge. Chuck knocks the guns out of the two that had guns, but the two others grab him from behind and they each take turns using Chuck as a punching bag. Chuck forces his head back hitting the one to his left and releasing his hold. Managing to break free he takes care of the two that have used his face enough as a punching bag. Chuck looked at the one guy as he raised his fist. "Like the last time, stay down." Chuck's right hand punches his left cheek. Turning around he grabbed Juan and headed down the stairs. The last guy comes too and crawls towards his gun. Firing a shot Chuck feels the bullet rip by him and Juan getting heavy. Chuck looks up to see the man firing again. Juan goes down and continues to fall down the stairs. Sergio, Ramon and Maria hears, the shots and run out seeing Chuck on the stairs and Juan at the bottom. Sergio grabs the man's gun and fires a warning shot just missing Chuck. "You better stop Bruce!" Chuck stopped, then turned around raising his arms. He sees that Juan is down and blood is pooling out from his shirt, and he notices that he was hit as well.

Sergio heads down the stairs with the gun pointed at Chuck. Sergio calls for the others who had shown up to take Juan away, not bothering to check whether he was alive or not. Sergio comes to the final step as Ramon moves in beside Chuck. "Take him to the cooler."

Ramon pushes Chuck forward, forcing him to move.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to get you out of here?"

"Well, is not working well is it?"

Ramon stops outside the cooler.

Chuck looks in. "Seriously?"

"He said the cooler."

Chuck shakes his head. Then looks at Ramon. "I need your phone."

"Ramon looks at his phone and sees that the connection was gone, wondering when contact was lost. "I need to call someone?"

"Vic, Agent Walker?"

Chuck knew he had to call her but, he needed to call another important person. Dialing a series of number, the call was picked up. "General."

"Chuck! What is going on?"

"I want to tell you everything but not right now, I am running out of time. I have a plan but I know that if I told Sarah and Casey they would not like it. So please General it is our only chance to get the USB."

The General listened.

"Are you sure it will work?"

"It has too. And if Maria wants the USB then she has to believe me as well."

"When are you heading to Paris?"

"Soon."

"Ok Chuck, I will do my part."

"Thank you General."

Chuck gave Ramon back his phone. Looking at it. "Aren't you going to call Agent Walker? She's just outside."

"No time. Go get Maria and tell her that I want to talk."

Ramon puts Chuck inside the cooler and runs up stairs to get Maria.

Chuck paces the cooler trying to stay warm. He tries not to look at his arm as the bullet grazed him. Thankfully the wound stopped bleeding and his thumb pain started to subside. Chuck works his plan in his head. Hopefully what makes sense in his head actually makes sense on the outside. 'Convince Maria that you have the USB or you know where it is. Head to Paris and the train station. Somehow convince Maria that Elena was very smart but knew that she couldn't walk out of Paris with the USB. Show her enough video footage of the event showing Sarah heading to the train station then coming back. Chuck turned as he heard the door open. There stood Maria.

Chuck walked out, welcoming the warmth. Maria sat down. "Ramon tells me that you have something for me?" Looking around only seeing Ramon and Francisco.

"You can say that? Where's Sergio?"

"Never mind, talk?"

Chuck swallowed hard, like his throat was dry. "Could I get something to drink?"

Maria raised her hand.

Chuck took a drink. It was a lot stronger than it looked. Catching his breath he sat down. Wincing slightly. "Your brother and my girlfriend, well ex girlfriend had something in common."

"Did they?"

"Yeah."

"And that was?"

"Making money?"

"Go on."

"Yeah, I followed Vic down here, after she went back to Juan. She's a hard habit to break but I am willing to share a few pillow talk stories with you if your interested."

Maria sat up straighter.

"The other day when I found her at the club and we rudely interrupted by your brother. We had hooked up after she got a job to take down a woman named Elena somebody?"

"And?"

"Well, you please a woman long enough she talks. So, after I did what I do best, she screamed and well she spilled more than …"

"What did she say?"

Chuck downed his drink and walked over to Maria. "I know what your looking for and I can get it for you."

Maria looked at Chuck.

"Don't know what your talking about? And your wasting my time."

Maria got up and headed upstairs. "Its still in Paris. Your husband didn't have it on him for long from what I heard. I also heard that whomever has it could be making millions by now. Maybe that is why Nevaeh hired Elena?"

Sergio walked in. "See I told you!"

"Shut up Sergio." Looking at her brother then back at Chuck. Walking back toward him. Then pressing her fingers into his wound on his arm. "You sure know a lot. You're not spy are you?"

"Me, no. Just someone who knows a lot of people. Vic was someone I met a few years ago. Always talking about this big score, she heard about but hadn't thought about it till she got the job to find this Elena. And like I said you pleased a woman long enough they tell you any and everything."

"And she said that it was in Paris?"

Chuck knew he was beginning to get her trust. "Do you have a computer?"

"Why?"

"I want to show you something." Chuck just hoped that his computer hadn't fallen asleep. Chuck waited till a lap top arrived and sitting down amid the pain. He connected into his lap top IP address, remotely bringing up a video he created. Once he saw that it worked he called Maria over to look. Maria walked up to the lap top and watched as Neveah and an unknown woman who she assumed was Elena meeting outside the Hotel the night that Rafael and her arrived in Paris. The video shows a person who looked like Neveah giving supposedly Elena a envelope then pointing to the train station. Elena opens the envelope takes a peak then closes it up putting it in her purse. Giving her a hug Elena walks out of view of the camera and Neveah walks towards the Hotel's lobby where she is joined by Rafael.

"Shut it off."

Chuck pressed esc on the laptop disconnecting his remote address connection.

"So, you believe me. Neveah and Elena were…"

"Enough."

Maria turned to Francisco. Francisco walked up to her and she whispered into his ear. He nodded then left. Looking at the lap top she then looked at Chuck. "Ramon, get him cleaned up."

"Yes ma'am. Sergio, we need to talk."

Chuck sat next to Ramon as the plane jetted across the run way. It was happening so fast, he hoped that the next part of his plan would work. This plan he hoped Sarah would figured it out. And allow them to get to Paris as quickly as they could.

Sarah and Casey rush inside no less than 15 minutes after Chuck had left with Maria. Finding where they thought that Chuck was taken took longer than they both wanted. Coming up to the stairs, Casey pointed his gun an seeing three men out cold and one who Casey figures fell from the second floor. Sarah noticed the blood and instantly thought it was Chuck. "Casey!"

Casey ran towards Sarah seeing the blood trail. Both concerned, they followed the trail. Seeing someone Casey held the gun in one hand lifted the cardboard box covering the body. Sarah gasped. Casey went down to his knees checking for a pulse. Turning to face Sarah. "We have a pulse." Casey stood up and called for back up. Sarah looked around the empty room. "Chuck, where are you?"

Chuck got a shiver then looked around reminding himself that he was on a plane. The voice he thought he heard was so real. Looking at Ramon, "You say something?" Ramon shook his head. Leaning in closer, "Now what?" "We wait, help is on the way." Chuck sat back as Sergio walked past.

Sarah watched as the paramedic picked up Juan. As they rolled Juan out, he grabbed Casey's arm. Sarah came closer. "Chuck did good, he has a plan. He's a real agent. He knew what to do and acted. He was beaten up a bit, but you should see the other guys." Juan tried to laugh. As they rolled him away. Casey and Sarah look around the room and really took a look at the guys on the floor Casey whispers "Chuck did this?" Sarah was even more scared now. Sarah runs after the stretcher. "One second." The paramedic stops. "Juan where they take Chuck."

"Don't know, he was looking upstairs before the shots were fired.

Sarah runs back and meets up with Casey. Searching the office for clues, Casey isn't finding much till he sees a paper with some familiar writing in it. Casey looks at it. 'SnC check LT for CC destination' Casey calls Sarah over. Sarah looks at it. Very cryptic but the more Sarah looks at it she knows.

The paramedics take Juan and Carina hears that Chuck was taken. Heads over to safe house. Sarah is in spy mode and doesn't hear her. Sarah looks at the paper again. 'SnC check LT for CC destination'. Sarah and Casey check LT for CC destination? Sarah and Casey check…. Sarah looks around the room. 'LT, CC….

Sarah walks the room repeating LT then it hits her. "Lab top."

Sarah runs over to Chuck's lap top and sees the last image displayed on the screen. Sarah sits down and puts the lap top in her lap and remembers their last conversation. 'What happened and where didn't you go?' Sarah scanned the area and saw that Chuck had looked more into it. Following the arrows, Chuck had marked possible places close to the Embassy that she could have gone. Sarah continued to look till she watched a feed. It was fours years ago. She saw herself and a plain as day, she followed herself with the crowd, that she blended in and because of the chaos she entered the train station. Chuck's feed then had her walking in with the rest of the street crowd finally sitting on a bench. Sarah like Chuck looked at the next scene many times till she called Casey. Remembering what she did with the USB, a slight smile crossed her face.

Casey came over and watched as Sarah showed him the events of that night and how Chuck was able to pinpoint the exact place that Sarah left the USB. Looking at Sarah. "He did good, he might be an agent after all." Getting up. I guess we are off to Paris." Sarah gets up. "I guess so."

Carina calls out to Sarah who finally sees her. "You ok?"

"Yeah, I will be. We know where they took Chuck. We just need to get there."

Carina could tell that Sarah was on the edge. Placing her hands on Sarah's, Carina looked at her. And at that moment Carina's hard façade crumbled a bit. "We will find him and he'll be back with you guys in no time."

Sarah nodded then heard Casey's phone. Casey put his phone on speaker. "Hello General."

"How are we?"

"Could be better General."

"I understand but we need to stay focussed. I have a jet waiting to take you to DC, where I will go with you to Paris." The three look at each other? How did she know?"

"Is Agent Miller there?"

"Yes, General, I am here."

"Good Agent Miller, I need you to put together a team and set up surveillance at the Chihuaua Border crossing and wait for further detail. Also, Agent Miller, I need the DEA to step up their presence as these transports are well on their way to the borders. Once the intel is confirmed, then you can proceed."

"Yes General."

"Major and Agent Walker, leave at once."

"Yes General." They both chimed.

Casey put his phone away and grabbed their gear. Sarah took Chuck's lap top and his bags and tossed it with hers. Looking around, she hoped that she got everything. Hopefully this was the last time. Stared at the bed and felt his presence over come her. Hearing Casey the three left.

Chuck looked at his hands and the swelling in his thumb was better. Ramon taped and put a splint on his thumb. Chuck's arm stopped bleeding, wondering if a bullet graze hurt as much as it would if he actually got shot. Ramon sat down and passed Chuck some aspirin and a bottle of water. Chuck nodded.

Ramon wanted to know his story but, to stay safe, it was better that he didn't know. Chuck grabbed a pen from the stewardess and wrote on the napkin. Heading to the train station once we arrive, need a divergence. Chuck passed the napkin to Ramon. Ramon looked down the walk way. Seeing that the close was clear, he took a look. Then looked up at Chuck. Nodding a yes.

PARIS FRANCE –

Chuck is taken off the plane as the rain continues to fall. Chuck takes the last step and the rain hits his face he is brought back to the hotel and their little holiday. Making love to Sarah as the rain poured outside. How he wished that he was back there. He didn't ask to for this, it came to him. And if it was anyone other than Sarah he would have said no. But he had to protect her, and this was the only way. Francisco grabbed his arm and opened the car door, not very gentle he shoved Chuck inside. Bumping his arm making it bleed again. Ramon sat in beside him, looking at Chuck, he knew that Chuck wasn't doing so good. Francisco opened the front door as Maria stepped inside and Sergio coming in following from behind in another car. Francisco put the car into drive and headed to the train station.

DC

Beckman waited at the hanger as the jet landed and rolled in. The airport personal opened the door as Sarah and Casey stepped off greeting the General. "We will be taking my jet, we can be in Paris in less than four hours." Sarah wanted to know how she found out so quickly. Beckman looked at her. "Agent Walker, all your questions will be answered. We must go now."

Sarah boarded the jet taking their gear and giving it to the stewardess as they entered. Buckling up the jet took off, as if it knew it was going to see Chuck. Sarah looked at her watch. Four hours was better than seven.

Casey took the opportunity to get some sleep. Beckman sat across from Sarah. The stewardess brought Beckman a drink and one for Sarah. "I think you need one."

Sarah took the drink and stared out at the clouds, the moon bobbled as the jet flew effortlessly in the night sky.

Sarah took out Chucks lap top and went back to the video feed, watching it a few more times, she needed something to keep her mind busy. Grabbing some headphones she plugged in and listened to a few of Chucks play lists, then started watching a movie but it didn't feel right. Scrolling his computer, she came across his photo albums. Sarah clicked on the file and set it to slideshow. There were pictures of him and Ellie, Morgan and Awesome. The gang at Buy More. How she envied him and the life he had, if only she chose a different path, would she have that kind of life as well? Hoping to change her mood she saw a file downloaded recently. Clicking on the file Sarah saw photos from Mexico. She clicked on a few short videos that Chuck took. The first one was the night they arrived, and Chuck had decorated the room with the candles. Hearing his voice, changed her mood and remembering what happened after that. The second video was when they had just come back from swimming in the ocean and other things. Sarah forgot that she had fallen asleep in Chuck's arms. Chuck had video taped her sleeping. Well she was guilty of that as well. Chuck whispered I love you as the video pans to the ocean. Sarah continued to scroll the photos, with new memories and ones that she'll never forget.

Metro Train Station

Arriving at the train station, the cars pull up and the small but determined entourage entered the station. Maria walks up to Chuck. "Ok you got us here now where?"

Chuck looked around, he had to waste some more time, hoping that Sarah by now had figured it out on what to do next. "Well?"

Chuck walked further into the entrance as morning commuters were hustling and bustling even at that early hour. Grabbing a train station map, he hoped that there were more than one place that housed lockers. Chuck walked up to Ramon. "I need you to go and find a locker and put this in it. Toss the key and come back, then I'm calling in that favour." Ramon looked at the item that Chuck gave him, and it was pen that he used on the plane. If you didn't look carefully enough, you might think at first glance it was a USB drive. Ramon headed and ran to the farthest set of lockers he could find but close enough that someone could get in and out quickly. When Ramon came back Chuck looked like he was doing some figuring, looking at camera angles and door ways, then headed to his left but was stopped by Francisco. "Can you call off your dog!"

Marie walked up to Chuck. "Where are you going?" Chuck pointed to the lockers. "We try here, not guaranteeing that these are the lockers."

Maria motioned for the other men to start looking. Chuck watches as lockers are pried open, waiting for security to arrive. Chuck stands back from Maria but still under the eye of Sergio, who hopes that the USB really exists. Ramon plays his part by tossing items lodged in the open lockers. Not finding anything Chuck takes them to the other side. Maria is less impressed by Chuck, but he finally sees the tree he has been looking for. Chuck looks at the tree then sees Ramon mouthing the locker number. Chuck uses his finger and moves it up and down the row of lockers. Thank goodness there aren't as many as the other side. Chuck thought that they might have been mail boxes at one time, being short and rectangle like. When Maria saw that he was getting closer, she moved in. Chuck keeps scanning the rows remembering what he saw. If Sarah left the USB and only had a short time. Where would she hide it. Chuck remembers watching the feed and seeing Sarah along with the crowd coming in out of the rain. Sarah stays in the back then sits down near a tree. Moments later is swept up again with by the crowd. Heading outside she jumps into a car. But Sarah never came home with it. Chuck starts to pry open a box when Ramon walks up to him and cashes in that disturbance. "Get back."

"No, I will get it."

"I said…."

Maria headed over and made Francisco take Chuck way. "Sit!"

Chuck grunted then moved closer to the tree. Edging his way closer to the left side he starts digging around the base of the tree. The soil was cold, and he didn't know how far Sarah would have hid it. Chuck digs as fast as he could before they got to the last locker. Ramon reaches the locker and pries open the locker at the same time Chuck feels what to him feels like a plastic bag. Pulling with his fingers tightly on the edge of the bag he pulls out what in fact is a USB drive, removing it from its plastic covering. Ramon pulls out the pen. Maria walks up to Ramon and takes it from him. To her it looks like a pen and only a pen. Walking up to Chuck he wipes his fingers off on his jeans and is welcomed with a slap. "You brought us here to find a pen." Chuck grabbed his cheek with his left hand. "Let me see."

Maria hesitant at first but gives Chuck the item. Chuck quickly switches the items then takes the cap off and shows her. Maria takes the USB and they leave the mess. Chuck is tossed back into the car as Maria rolls the USB back and forth between her fingers. Pulling up to a vacant hanger Maria steps out. "You might need to collaborate it." Maria never answers. Francisco takes out a briefcase and puts it on the trunk of the car. Maria turns on the computer and waits. Nothing is happening. Chuck waits in the car. Then his door is open. Chuck steps out. Maria looks at him. "Can you whatever you said."

"Chuck walked in front of the lab top and reinserted the USB. Waiting for it to connect Chuck slips in hand inside the briefcase looking for another USB. Chuck finds another one and stuffs it inside his splint. Turning around. "I need to sit down." Maria allowed Chuck to go sit in the front seat. Chuck typed away at the computer while Maria and Franny as she called him flirted at the back of the car. Sergio paces the cars and Ramon stays close. Chuck types away checking the USB he took from the briefcase and seeing it had nothing that seemed important, so he deleted the USB. Going back to the one that Sarah had taken Chuck opened and saw what looked like Diplomatic letters giving Rafael and Nevaeh permission to cross the borders. Doing a search for Langston's name, he found a few files that named him as the CIA agent who Nevaeh was talking to, but it also incriminated him in making deals with the Cartel. Chuck needed more to go on, but he was running out of time. Making a copy he slipped the original into his splint and copied the original. At the same time, he sent all the files as a zip file to Beckman's email, hoping that it would go through in time. As he watched the percentages climb, Sergio started to move closer. Chuck was taking too long. 45%, 50%. Chuck looked up seeing Sergio still moving. 89%, 92%. Sergio opened the door wider 99%, 100% email sent. Chuck clicked the window closed as Sergio grabbed the lap top. Maria saw Sergio take the lap top. Walking to the back of the car, they stared at the lap top and the info that they had thought about for four years. Chuck stood up. "You need to…."

Sergio raised his hand. Chuck stepped back. Chuck had put in a password preventing them from going further into the file. Sergio clicked on one then two then three files and nothing. Typing in a few passwords, nothing worked. "Bruce." A soft voice spoke. Chuck looked up. "Can you help?"

Chuck walked over and started to type. The first attempt didn't work. Chuck tried a second time. Still nothing. "Do you have an idea what word he would have used for this file?"

Maria and Sergio looked at each other. Chuck already knowing the password he wanted to see if they really knew Rafael. Maria threw out a few names but nothing, then Sergio still nothing. Then Maria got personal, even naming Neveah as a possible password. Chuck typed in the name and pressed enter. Nothing, then Maria had a bit of hope and said. "My name?" Chuck typed in Maria's name. The first window opened. "I need a date? Possibly a wedding date or?"

Chuck didn't need it, but he wanted to waste as much time as he could. Maria looked at Chuck. "1989."

Chuck pretended to type in 1989. Chuck flew his arms up. Maria stepped closer. "Thank you."

Chuck stepped back looking at his watch.

Flying over the Atlantic

Beckman's computer beep alerting Sarah and Casey. Beckman opened her computer and clicked on the file. Every file popped up. Beckman looked at the time. "He just sent it." Beckman smiled and nodded. Sarah smiled inside knowing that he was still ok. Even Casey sighed some relief. Beckman got on the phone calling Carina. "That's correct."

"We will, thanks. Agent Miller."

Beckman turned to speak with Casey and Sarah. "Chuck was able to find the USB and send these files to us, I will have my analysts look at these files. We just now need to get Maria Del Rosario and Sergio Manuel in custody. We will be in Paris in one hour."

It would be one hour too long. Sarah continued to hold onto the fact that in less than one hour she'll see Chuck. Desperately wanting to hold him.

PARIS

Sergio closes the lap top and gets into his car. Maria looks at Chuck, then speaks to Francisco. He nods and takes Ramon with him. They continue to wait at the airport Francisco takes Chuck into the hanger Ramon follows. "You two stay here."

Chuck waits till the door closes. "I need a phone."

Ramon looks at his phone but there is no cell service. Chuck walks the room till he finds a phone line. Following the phone line he tugs and follows it till he comes to a desk, opening a drawer he finds a phone inside. Ripping the wire, he connects the wire and inserts it into the phone plug. Hoping to get a dial tone. Wiggling the wire, he gets a dial tone, he then dials Sarah's number, then waits.

Sarah heads back to her seat when she hears her phone. Not recognizing the number, she looks at Casey. Pressing the speaker, she answers cautiously. "Hello?"

"Hello?"

"Can I help you?"

"Sarah?"

"Chuck?"

"I am so glad to hear your voice." But desperately she wanted to say, 'Are you okay, I love you, I miss you.

"Are you ok? Where are you?"

Chuck didn't want to tell her that he was shot at. She wouldn't forgive herself if she heard. But he'd have to tell her eventually.

"At an airport. Did you get the file?"

"Yeah we saw it Beckman and Casey are here. We are getting ready to land."

Chuck closed his eyes. This was almost over.

"Good, this should give you some time to find us, and if and when they use it they won't get very far."

"Chuck." Sarah pressed the speaker then went to sit down.

"Yeah."

"You doing ok?"

"I'm fine."

Sarah laughed. "Truth."

"Truth, miss you like crazy."

Sarah looked around, then brought the phone to her cheek. "Miss you more."

"Soon, babe."

Chuck looked up. "Someone's coming, got to go."

"Chuck!"

"I know, me to. I would kiss you but…" Chuck made a kissing sound into the phone.

"Chuck…?"

The call went dead.

Chuck ripped the cord out and tossed it under the counter and rejoined Ramon. Ramon stood near Chuck as he didn't know why he had to stay.

Casey gets a location of the call and has the jet take a detour. Beckman calls in a favour to Interpol and makes arrangements for them to meet them at the deserted airport. Beckman comes back and tells them that they can't land a plane there as the runway doesn't exist anymore. Their best bet would be to come in by foot or by helicopter. Casey makes another call, asking for a helicopter and ground support. Then calls to the pilot to land as close to that airport as they could. The pilot lands on the other side a grassy berm. A helicopter is on standby as Casey and Sarah split the teams and head in by foot. Francisco keeps Chuck close as he seems to take charge over this. Leaving Sergio with less say in what went on next. Another van shows up and four other men pile out. Francisco looks at Maria then Maria gives Sergio the USB. She tells Sergio that he has to leave now and head back to Mexico.

Just then the atmosphere got quiet. Chuck could hear a faint whistle in the distance, a true Casey call. He had to thank Casey for learning the tricks of spying, being heard and not seen and all the other small things of being out in the open. From what Chuck was hearing, he knew that they were close.

Sarah and Casey reached the end of the row of trees and could see Chuck and the rest. Sarah's heart settled down some what, now that she was able to see him. But she knew that his life could still be in danger. Casey whistled again and Chuck scratched his nose showing Casey that he had heard. Maria looked at Chuck then turned to face the trees. Chuck lowered his arm. Maria again told Sergio to get going and that Ramon was going with him. Taking the van and the two men with them. As Sergio got into the van. "Sergio, We will head back to Paris and fly out later. Get back to Mexico as fast as you can, and move those transports. The window of opportunity it running out."

Chuck just hoped that what he did to the USB would work.

The van drove off leaving Maria and Francisco and Chuck out on the tarmac. Chuck looks to see Sarah low to the ground coming up behind Maria who was facing Chuck's left and Casey coming up behind Chuck's right.

Sarah makes a hand signal wanting to know if they had guns and Chuck shook his head as he had not seen any guns on them. Sarah moves closer Maria senses that something is not right, she turns to see Sarah's reflection bounce off of the window of the hanger. Turning around Maria yells. "Finally."

Maria gets the first punch, surprising Sarah. Sarah touches her lip and sees blood. Maria did surprise her, but Sarah was just getting started. Sarah charged her and gave Maria a high kick to the stomach with a returning up swing to her left cheek. Maria bent forward and stumbled backwards, then ran towards Sarah wrapping her arms around her waist and pushing her to the ground. Maria pelted her with punches as Chuck tried to run to her but Francisco grabbed him but felt to large talons of one Major Casey on each of his shoulders picking him up and dragging him back. Francisco fell to the ground as Chuck scampered to his feet. Casey turned to him and coaxed him on. "Ok Franny, bring it." Francisco got up and charged Casey.

Sarah managed to get her legs around Maria squeezing her ribs enough to allow Sarah to roll over and pin her to the ground. But Maria was tougher than she looked. Getting on her feet, Sarah raised her hands up to protect her face as the punches continued. But her punches weren't consistent causing Sarah to take a blow to the face that stunned her. Casey continued to hold his own but Franny's style and technique was too much for the Major and Casey is knocked to the ground. Franny gets up and goes after Chuck. Sarah sees him but as she gets closer Franny gets to him first.

Sarah moves closer to Chuck as Maria runs distracting her focus. Sarah runs after Maria. Sarah tackles Maria and as Maria goes hard to the ground, she yells at Francisco to grab him. Franny points a gun to his head. As Sarah tackles Maria. Sarah turns her over and sees a smile on her face. "Wipe that look off your face." Then Sarah see Maria looking over to where Chuck is standing and a gun pointed to his head.

In the distance a helicopter flies in and lands beside the hanger and Beckman climbs out. Sarah pulls Maria onto her feet holding her wrists behind her. Maria wonders who this intrusion is. Franny still holds to gun to Chucks head and Casey is forced to walk towards Sarah. Sarah releases her hold as she is torn. Sarah looks up to hear Beckman call out to her to stand down. Beckman looks at Chuck. Chuck looks at Sarah. "I will be fine." Then he turns to Beckman. "General. I'm calling in that favour."

Beckman tells Sarah to stand down again. Sarah looks at her. "Agent Walker back down." Casey walks up to her. "Sarah lets go. He's knows what he's doing."

Maria walks over to Chuck. "You have me, you don't need her. She took your husband you take what is important to her and right now that is me and the USB drive."

Sarah walks back towards the helicopter not taking her eyes off of Chuck. Casey gets in but slides to other side slipping back into the trees. Sarah reaches Beckman as Beckman as short as she is stands tall, giving Chuck a slight nod. Making Sarah get in Beckman tells the pilot to go. Sarah buckles up and watches helplessly as the helicopter flies further away from him. Casey runs and slips in to the back side, whistling again. Though Chuck was happy to hear that Casey was still around, he wondered if he had done the right thing.

Beckman has the pilot fly them to the airport as Sarah now sits on the jet, heading back to DC. What adds to Sarah's frustrations and helplessness is that Beckman stays quiet the whole flight.

Maria looks at Chuck. "I am surprised that you would risk your life to save hers."

"Well if I let her do her thing, you wouldn't be talking right now."

"So tell me when did you know that…"

"Vic was Elena?"

"Yeah."

"I didn't. Till Sergio showed me a picture but I still wasn't a hundred present sure. But when we started fighting I knew."

Chuck looked at her Maria, wondering what she was going to do next, now that her enemy was gone.

"Now what, we sit here and watch clouds move."

"No, we will wait till Sergio lands and once the transports are moving and are safe across the border, we won't need you anymore, until then we wait."

Francisco heads inside the hanger and ties Chuck to rafter. As Chuck dangles his toes barely touch the floor causing instant discomfort. Francisco walks over to Maria to tends to her wounds. But their reunion turns Chuck's stomach. Chuck swings and turns himself around, sees that he has to flash and get out of there. Being Chuck he knows he can make anyone talk, even if it is to annoy someone. Chuck looks at Maria. Chuck starts talking which causes Maria to get annoyed. Wanting Chuck to keep quiet Chuck continues to talk. Maria makes Francisco walk over to shut him up. Chuck keeps talking till a punch hits his ribs and another hits his face. Chuck's head falls forward. Chuck's starts swinging which makes him bump into Francisco. Fran is bent forward. Casey then sees his opportunity to cause a commotion outside. Maria being the closet to the opening heads to check it out. Francisco tries to follow her but with Chuck's last swing, he finally flashes and is able to take his feet and use Frans body as a wall. Chuck gets his legs high enough lays them over his back and as Franny stands up Chuck long legs wrap around his neck. Chuck squeezes as Franny tries to get loose. Chuck hangs on as Franny starts to fall. Franny falls to the floor as Chuck places his feet on his side and is able to release his ties to the beam and jump down. Finally catching his breath from his last punch.

Chuck heads to the opening of the hanger but Franny grabs Chuck. Chuck turns and gives Frans his first of many punches before Franny knows that Chuck will tucker out, then Franny will have his turn. But Chuck holds his own as Franny picks up his game. With equal punches and jabs Chuck starts to feel the brunt but he thinks that he has one last move left. Allowing Franny to take a few good punches. Chuck moves into a position he had called the shot put move. Chuck pivots on his left foot then swings kicks hard with his right foot right into the Frans middle section forcing him to fall back into the window. Franny flies through the window and lays straddling the ledge of the window. Casey's sees the single shard of glass standing straight up and down on his chest. Maria sees Casey and Francisco and runs to the car. Maria drives off Casey goes after her. Maria speeds off not watching where she is driving and fails to watch the dirt road. Turning sharply, her wheels buckle, sending her into the ditch and into a muddy marsh. Casey runs ups to the car and seeing where she landed Casey runs back to find Chuck. Casey gets back to the hanger and takes another look at Franny then yells for Chuck. Casey walks in looking around and sees toppled furniture in the hanger. Scanning the room he finally sees Chuck leaning against the wall, holding his ribs. Coming closer to Chuck, Chuck looks up "I think their broken." Chuck looks at the window. "Is he dead?"

Casey tells him straight. "Yeah." Chuck closes his eyes. This was the first man he has killed. Casey helps Chuck, up on his feet. "Where's Maria?" Casey slips Chucks arm around his shoulder. "You won't believe me if I told you." Chuck gets his footings and follows Casey out to where Maria is. Chuck looks down into the marsh and sees Maria sitting on the hood of the car. Screaming for someone to help her. Casey calls for help. "You going to help her?" Casey lights a cigar. "Nope! She can sit there for awhile, she isn't going anywhere."

An hour later, French police and Interpol arrive. Chuck sits in the back of one of the ambulances as they attend to his injuries. The paramedics tape his sides and get him ready for transport to the Naval hospital. French officials handcuff Maria and as she walks to one of the police cars, she gives Chuck a very disgusted look. Chuck then looks at Francisco as they place him into a body bag. Casey walks up to Chuck. "They want to talk to you but I explained the situation. So we are free to go to the hospital and get you checked out and take the next flight, which leaves in the morning."

Chuck nodded. "Can I call Sarah?"

Casey looked at Chuck. Then waited till the police left them. "Wait till we are in air. It's better that we stay quiet, and leave as soon as we can."

Chuck rubbed his face with his hands as this wasn't over yet. Chuck climbed further into the ambulance and Casey hopped up. As the doors closed a slight sigh of relief overcame Chuck, he leaned back as it was getting harder to breathe.

The ambulance drove to the French Naval base hospital. They were expecting him. Chuck was wheeled inside as Casey stayed close. Navy personal met Casey at the door and greeted him with a salute. Chuck moved into the emergency room while Casey waited outside.

DC

Beckman and Sarah headed to her office upon arriving. All Sarah wanted to do was to sleep and sleep with Chuck and never wake up for days maybe weeks. Sitting down over looking downtown DC, Sarah instantly thought about Chuck. Beckman had been quiet the whole trip. Though Sarah couldn't complain about the peace and quiet, her mind was constantly on Chuck. Beckman walks in with a tray of coffee and some sandwiches. Placing the tray in front of Sarah, Beckman walks around to her side and sits down. Grabbing a cup, she waited till Sarah was convinced to get one for herself as well. Nibbling a few bites and taking a sip Sarah sat back. Beckman looked at Sarah and starts to explains. "When Chuck found out where the USB was he called. He was able to make a copy and send it to us. It had files saved on it that went missing years ago, prior to the intersect but in an association with missions that the CIA and the DEA were heavily involved in at the time. Some files went back as far at the 1980's with the Lehder Cartel. Who we now know was the Grandfather of Rafael, and Maria and Sergio picked up the family business after he died. For years we assumed that these files were gone or even sold to the cartels that is why we could never get the upper hand on any shipment or transport of drugs. Langston was trying to turn Nevaeh and as well as a Santos, but she was the only one that wanted out but the DEA also wanted her. Her intel and knowledge would put 25 years of cartel dealings, partners, manifests, and locations of hidden product out in the open. You name it. She had info on it. When she found out the Rafael was meeting with a group at the consulate dinner she called Langston. Langston had to do something. He needed the USB but when he heard that the people at the table were hired assassins and that had planned to kill one of the foreign Mexican ambassadors who at the time was their only hurdle, you Sarah prevented that from happening. Unbeknownst to you and us at the time that four years later Maria would know anything about the USB drive, and your involvement. We now know that Nevaeh was murdered hours before that."

"But that doesn't explain why we left Chuck and Casey."

Sarah shook her head slightly.

"He wanted it to be that way. He had to gain her trust again and having you there didn't help. He hoped to convince her that if she took what was important to her as what you took from her."

Sarah 's heart crushed. "Rafael?"

Beckman nodded.

Sarah, Chuck reprogrammed the USB in the short time that he had so that when they went to use it they would think that they were ok. But every portal, border, airline, transportation and or route etc would be alerted. Carina will continue to wait at the border. She knows that once Sergio lands he's going to move the transports. As for Ramon I told Carina to watch out for him. Also the three unaccounted transports that you said were missing. Are actually people. They have been doing this for years. Use false data and manifests to say that they have more or less items to move hoping to get the most important ones across the borders first. Three of the six trucks have hidden components inside them. They are built slightly higher, so that is what we will be looking out for."

Sarah gets up and walks to the window. "With out Chucks abilities and looking into that glitch millions of dollars, drugs etc… would still try to be smuggled across the border. Now that we can the files we can close a lot of files and court cases. And after four years, the files are safe."

Sarah turned around. "Did you know that what you asked me to do would end up like this?"

"No, honestly, we just needed Ramon and Santos. The rest was…"

"Chuck."

"You and Casey as well."

"So now what?"

"We wait to hear from Chuck and Casey. You file your report. Carina files hers and we move on. So can I assume that you have had enough time to reconsider your answer to a indirect question that I asked you weeks ago?"

Sarah sat down. "Are the Bartowski's getting a divorce?"

Sarah chuckled inside but kept her face as stoic as an agent should be in front of her superior. Tilting her head slightly. "No, We are not. Just needed some time to think but I found my answers."

"Good."

Beckman stood up. "The jet is ready for you to head back to LA anytime if you want. Head home and wait for them there."

Beckman walked to the door. "Good job Agent Walker. Take your time on that report."

LA

Sarah arrived at Castle, and was glad that she completed her report on the flight. Now she had all the time to spend it with Chuck. Still not hearing from Chuck, she tried to stay busy. Casey and Chuck flew back to DC. Gave their reports to Beckman. Marie was detained in DC after Casey set up a video feed watching Sergio being stopped at the border. Being arrested and charged with trafficking. Maria was charged with aiding and abetting a crime. Kidnapping and threatening an agent. Sergio was given the same sentence because he had also known about Nevaeh's death and didn't report the death.

Juan sits in a hospital room and is told that he has a phone call. Picking it up he hears that it is from Carina. Carina relays the message that the package was apprehended at the border and all transports, are accounted for. Her final words 'The head of the monster is now cut off.'

Juan puts the phone down leans back and shakes his fist.

Ramon returned to LA with Carina for questioning, and Carina heads to the Orange Orange. Ramon didn't choose this life it found him. He was trying to do good but mixed up with the wrong crowd. Sergio on the other hand, craved the lifestyle especially after Rafael had died. Maria wanted revenged but for her own selfish reasons.

Sarah tidies up Castle and heads upstairs to Orange Orange. Carina meets her as she helps herself to a bowl of frozen yogurt.

Giving her a hug. Sarah returns the hug. "Hey girl."

"Hey."

Sarah drops her purse on the counter. Carina makes her a cup. Jumping on the counter they eat their bowl. "Wanna talk about it?"

Sarah shakes her head.

Carina felt that she had been quiet long enough. Putting her bowl down she looks at Sarah. "You know the world only gives us so many chances to be happy. But some of those chances are worth more than life itself. And sometimes they come when we least expect it. Who knew that your past would end up affecting your future."

"What future?"

"You and Chuck!"

Sarah looked up between bites.

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Save it blondie. I knew the day I arrived at your hotel. Who spends three days in paradise in a one bed hotel room. And I checked to see if the couch was a pull out and there wasn't one. And I know that Chuck didn't sleep on the floor."

Carina takes a spoonful of yogurt.

Sarah's cheeks start to turn a faint red.

"So, give me details."

Sarah delayed her response. Carina continued to wait.

"Well?"

"It just happened."

"It doesn't happen, not with the two of you. Details."

Sarah smiles slightly. "No details."

"Then he's that good?"

"Carina!"

"Well if he was bad in bed you would make the story sound really good. You not telling me anything says it all. He's the whole package. And what does his package look.."

Sarah nudges Carina.

"He's special. And I can't explain why?"

"He's a keeper then?"

Sarah nodded then hopped down, tossing her bowl into the garbage.

"Where you going?"

"Back to my hotel to sleep for a week."

"Come on out, we go for a drink?"

Sarah walked to the door.

"Then what are you going to do." Carina asked.

"Don't know haven't heard from him and I no one has said anything."

"And what else?"

"Something strong." Sarah smiled.

Carina hopped down and tossed her cup, then walking over giving Sarah another hug. "You did good."

"You too."

"Are you sticking around?"

"Maybe I have plans to meet up with a guy that I met recently."

"Do I know him?"

"Yeah."

"Be safe."

"Always am blondie."

Sarah unlocked the door and walked out.

Maison 23

Sarah opened her door taking her shoes off. She hadn't been in this room for over a month. Walking over to her table she tossed through a few take out menus. Deciding finally on Chinese she placed her order. Looking at her clock she had an hour before her food would arrive. Which gave her an hour to finally have that hot bath she had been waiting for. Slipping into the hot bubbles she leaned back reliving the last few days. It all seemed like it was one long day but with the time difference she had lost count. In reality it had been four since they left Mexico. And almost a week since she and Chuck were on their mini holiday. Rubbing her hands together she ran them over her face. Embracing the hot water on her face. Then sliding her fingers through her hair. Soaking in the water, the temperature made the decision for her to exit. Draining the tub she grabbed her bath robe when she heard a knock at her door. Grabbing her gun just in case she peeked through the peephole then opening the door slightly. Seeing the familiar delivery guy, she slipped the gun into her pocket. Reaching for some cash she paid for her order then closing the door. Walking over to the table she grabbed her order and took the cartons to her bed. Grabbing her laptop she starts another movie that Chuck had recommended. Trying to eat and watch, her alone time was interrupted. Hearing another knock at the door she reaches for her gun again, this time she wasn't expecting anyone. Looking through the peephole she couldn't believe her eyes. Opening the door slightly to take a better look. She sees him standing right there. Chuck looks up as Sarah wraps her arms around him. Chuck takes his good arm and holds her close.

Sarah pulls him in and closes the door. Rips his shirt off checking his body. Seeing again for the second time bruises cuts and now a gun shot.

Chuck holds her hand against his chest. "I'm ok."

He looks at her again, as she continues to check him out. Slowing his words down again. "I- am - o-k."

Chuck looks down at her lips and kisses her. A kiss that was long over due.

Chuck looks at the food. Sarah grabs another carton and gives him one. Joining her on the bed they finish off the rest of the Chinese food. Still hungry Chuck grabs her phone and order a Spyro pizza. Sarah snuggled inside his arms reaches for the laptop then asks him what would he like to see next. Looking up she sees that he was asleep. And she couldn't blame him. Clearing away the cartons and pizza box, Sarah turns off the lights and crawls into bed with Chuck and in no time is asleep.

The next morning lying in Chucks arms. She watches the man who turned the world upside down to keep her safe sleeping beside her. All the damage mentally and physically she knew that they were finally safe. But she wondered how long she they could continue to do this.

Sarah got up not to disturb him. She stayed close to him. Chuck was still sleeping by mid afternoon, so Sarah snuck out to grab some groceries and head over to his place to grab some clean clothes. Sneaking in the Morgan door, she grabbed a bag and some jeans, shirts and tolietries and slipped out the same way she came in. Entering her room, she saw that Chuck had slipped out of his clothes, placing them on the chair beside the bed then had crawled under the sheets. Sarah put the bags down and turned hearing a knock at the door. This time it was Casey. Sarah opened the door, seeing Chuck was sleeping. "Sorry to bother you, just wanting to know where Chuck went."

"He's been sleeping since he arrived. Just got back getting some stuff for him. How are you?"

"Good, and glad to be back. Has Chuck talked?"

"No, should I be worried."

"No, he did good, but he ended up fighting with Francisco….."

Casey continued to fill Sarah in. "No, really?"

"Yeah, so when he's ready, he'll talk."

Casey headed to the door. "I'm going home, maybe have a nap. Beckman says take all the time you need but be back at work on Monday."

"So nice of her."

"Well it's only Thursday."

"Thanks Casey."

Sarah closed the door and returned to her groceries, putting them away in her very small kitchenette.

Crawling back in beside Chuck. She stared at him. Chuck stirred from his sleep looking over at Sarah. Chuck rolled onto his back and Sarah still exhausted settled in his arms. Chuck covered them up.

As the sun shone through the window the next morning it added to the glow of Sarah's body. Chuck caressed her face. Sarah stirred but kept her eyes closed. Chuck moved closer placing his lips on her forehead. Then dragged his fingers down her exposed arm. Sarah didn't move. Chuck smiled them rolled out of bed. Seeing his bag on the chair he looked inside, smiling then grabbing a few things.

Sarah opened her eyes as the sunshine was a bit much. Feeling for Chuck his side was empty. Hearing the water, she walked into the bathroom. A sight that she had grown to love. Chuck rinsed the last bit of soap out of his hair then turned to see Sarah. "You going to stand there or join me?"

Sarah brought her hand to her lips. Then smiled taking her boy shorts and tank top off. The water was perfect. The company was perfect. Sarah slipped in behind Chuck and ran her fingers down his back. His back had many colors on it from the bruises but her touch was welcoming. Grabbing the soap, she lathered her hands running them up and down his back and lower legs. She slids her arms over the back of his. Chuck turned around grabbing the soap and giving Sarah her turn. Sarah stepped back pressing her back against the cold tiles as Chuck stepped towards her. The water cascaded over Chuck's back as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Picking her up Sarah wrapped her legs around his hips. Chuck reached back, turned the shower off and headed out. Sarah grabbed a towel but dropped it as Chuck carried her to her bed. The sheets were still warm which kept the chills away as Chuck laid her down. Despite his body feeling like crap. Her body made it all better. Chuck kissed her hard as Sarah ran her fingers though his wet curls. Their reunion was long over due and as their love making picked up, this time there were no missions, no ghosts, no lies and no thought of ending, what was beginning to be something special for the both of them.