Later that night we pan back to Casey as he is going over files on the Omaha project. There was a lot of data and the multiple areas that they were researching. They were out to make a super agent. If they had been successful then there would have been a whole new age for the spy game. Casey gets the feeling that if Chuck were able to access all of the data at will, he would make Bryce Larkin look like a amateur. He would be able to access safe houses, code protocols, counterterrorist, techniques to access codes to almost every system that the government has.
The was a bit concerning to Casey. Maybe it would be better to eliminate the threat, but this was Chuck. He is so duty bound that he would never do anything to endanger anyone. Still this could be either really good for the team or really bad.
While Casey is using the system he has accessed several different servers to retrieve data on several different missions and projects. All of they extremely sensitive to the government and would have dire results if anyone got their hands on it. Little did he know that he was actually doing just that right now.
The program that Chuck installed was also a keylogger and all of the commands and passwords were being stored and would be sent later at a designated time to Chuck. The Satan program was also probing these systems for holes in their system sockets as well as through tcp/ip,udp and multiple other combinations of access points that every system has when connected to the internet. All of this data was being stored as well and would be in Chuck's hands before the end of the night.
Casey was tired from the ordeal today and was heading to bed. He lowered the screen and locked up for the night. He had done his usual listening of Chuck in his room. He had played many different artist and the pattern was unusual to say the least. There seemed to be a theme to it, but Casey could not quite put his finger on it yet. Well he was tired and would think on it in the morning.
Chuck had been watching for Casey's lights to go out. He knew that the data would be sent soon to a fake server that would forward it back to system at Buy More that he could access remotely. From there he would download the data onto the flash drive so that no trace of it would be found on his hard drive. He thinks back to that fateful day that he had access one of the most important disks that the CIA, on his system. His Ace in the hole had been due to his gaming habits. The Fates had smiled down on him that day without him even realizing it.
Chuck puts on the Lost Boys album and listens to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVnSGXvYK20&feature=related and gets into a mindset that was something that he used to due at Stanford. This put him into a single focus on what he needed to do next. There was no turning back at this point. As soon as he had placed the program on Caseys machine, he was committed. He was now a single minded force that even the best agents strive to meet.
Chuck was as confident as he had been in his early days in college. There was a strong determination that comes for knowing that you have to win or death will be the easy part. Gone was the despair and humiliation that he had lived with for so long. There was no Sarah to save him this time, as it was up to him to save her. If he died, then it would not be for lack of trying. He could deal with death as long as he saved the woman he loved with all his soul.
Like a swiss watch he began the task of logging into the Buy More system. Right on time the data started loading into the flash drive that he had left on the system earlier today. He was covering his tracks so that no one could trace his steps with any percentage of accuracy. He had also placed in the program a tunnel so that he could remote access Caseys system. This was a very risky move and it could be traced or even seen if Casey came back and logged back on.
The data contained Caseys passwords as well as all of the servers and all files he accessed. There was a lot of data and Chuck started look though the names of the files. He skimmed through them and noticed a few that he wondered about. One of the two files was called Omaha project as this sounded like something that Bryce had said to Sarah when he had left. The second and the one that he decided to look at was labeled Standing Orders.
Chuck downloaded the data to his system onto the flash drive. He had it all ready with his program and the encrypted data from earlier that day. He knows that by opening any of these files he could be signing his death warrant. He erased the data off the Buy More Server's flash drive and ran a DOD grade 4 data eraser program that completely rewrote the data on the flash drive in several different patterns. Most people did not realize that the data could be retrieved from any drive unless you rewrote to the device. It was a series of writing the pattern on all data sectors of each 1's, then 0's, then AA etc till there was minimum of 7 different patterns that completely overwrote the disk several times. There was no recovery after this was done and since it was a flash drive it was pretty quick.
Next Chuck logged into several different systems in multiple locations across many continents till he felt that tracing the link back to him would take longer than he would be on the system. He then executed the backdoor tunnel to Caseys system and placed the data that he needed for his up comming encounter onto that system. If they discovered it before he had a chance to make his case, it would be all over. All had gone better than expected and he was finished within 18 minutes from start to finish.
Chuck felt pretty proud of himself as not too many people could do what he had just done. The only regret was that he could not tell Casey or Sarah what he was up to. He felt like he was one of the lost boys in the song he was listening to and it actually felt good. He was not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. It was for everyone's benefit except maybe for the government. They would no longer have a hold over him after tomorrow.
As Chuck was done earlier that he had expected to be, he decided to look at the data on the disk that he had encrypted earlier. He would use the disk that he had not encrypted. He planned on destroying it later, but there was information on it that he needed to pull off first. As he was accessing the disk he would write down names that appeared on the disk. He had about 20 names when he decided to see if there was anything else on it of importance.
As he was poking around he discovered a file of major importance to Chuck himself. It would change everything that he had though about the intersect. He was amazed that the Professor had also copied it onto the disk as well. He now had the means to update the data in his brain! Not only that but any other data that he felt was relevant! He just started laughing out loud and almost woke up Casey.
Here was his second Ace in the hole. He wonders if the NSA and CIA had even bothered to look at all of the data on the disk that fateful day. I guess Stanford was not so bad to him after all. He began playing with the new program that he had just found. He wanted to test it to see if it really was his salvation or just a dead end. After about an hour he had loaded all of the data that he wanted to upload and let the program encrypt it into a selected image. He did not read any of the data, but wanted to see if he flashed on it and could pull out the data.
You see the program churning and about 45minutes later it was done. Chuck then selected the file and suddenly the images started to flash on his system and then just as quickly it was done. Chuck then went to the picture of him and Sarah that he had selected. As he looked at it he flashed, Picture of Sarah on the beach, wall street journal, stock listings, multiple company stock data, back to picture of Sarah. He snaps out of the flash and starts reciting companies and all of the data associated with the company in reference to their effects on their stock prices.
He was correct as this could be used to update any information he needed. He did notice that not all of the data was there but was about 86% at best that he could tell. This was a secret that he would have to keep to himself. He took the data that he had encrypted earlier and removed this program from it and recreated the 5 encrypted disks. It created a master disk that he would keep for himself well hidden. He now started creating mailing labels for the remaining 5 disks. He shredded all of the earlier disks and did a 3d test pattern to remove any residual data in the video memory on his system. Only the flash drive was a risk at this point. That would easily be destroyed, if need be, by placing it into a microwave and turning it on. It would only take about 5 to 15 seconds to completely destroy it.
Chuck then leave and gets into Elle's car and drives the disks to locations that he knows will be safe for a very long time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60x5FHpwY8g&feature=related He remembered geocaching for fun many times and there were many places to hide things. He would encrypt the GPS coordinates and place them in a safe place that could be delivered to several Congressmen and Newspapers. Not that he would ever do it, but he had to make them think he would. He knew that the nerd herder was tracked but Elle's car should be safe. He parked several blocks away and left his watch in the car each time. This would give them several blocks to search and that was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
After all was hidden, Chuck heads back to home to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and he would only get about 4 hrs of sleep. If all went well he would be free by Saturday. Then he could enjoy some free time for a change. He was no agent and it was time that he had a vacation. If they wanted to track him from a distance that would be fine, but they would never be able to threaten him or his family again.
As Chuck gets into bed, he takes one last look at the picture of Sarah. He was going to miss being around her every day. He could almost smell her perfume in him mind. He loved the way she smiled and the curve of her neck when she had her hair back. Even the way her teeth were not perfectly straight was a reminder of her natural beauty. How could he be so lucky to have meet her, but so unlucky to have fallen in love with her.
She was CIA for pete's sake. Jimminy cotton picken christmas what was he thinking and how could she have a real relationship with him. She could be called away at any time and that would mean doing whatever is necessary to get to her mark. He hated that statement “ whatever is necessary” as it usually meant that she would use her sex appeal on her mark. He almost wished that she had treated him like a mark, at least he would have know what it would have been like to be with her.
Chuck finally puts the picture down and crawls into bed. He tries to put her out of his mind and get some sleep. After all, he had heard her say that she would not let Casey terminate him. He had no doubt that Casey would kill them both if ordered. That was Casey and having been around him, it was just the way he was and there was really no other way he could be. Like he said, there are some things that are bigger than a single person.
We fade to the next day with Casey and Chuck at the Buy More. Chuck is busy making sure that all of the orders are up to date and nothing is backlogged. He takes pride in his work and he could not leave for a vacation if there was a mess with his group. Lester and Jeff are watching him doing all of the work and wondering what is going on. They start to feel bad and help, but that feeling went away pretty fast. You see Lester and Jeff approach Chuck is in the cage in the back.
Lester: Hum, you seem to be very busy today. Is there going to be a layoff and your not telling us?
Chuck: What are you talking about?
Jeff: come on Chuck, you can tell us. We wont talk. You are actually doing more work than usual.
Chuck: Well someone has to do it and I felt like clearing up all of this mess.
Lester: This looks like sexual frustration energy work. Are you and your lady friend having issues or do you need one of Jeffs magic pills. ( big smile on Lesters face. )
Jeff: They work well, but if they last for longer than 4 hrs you need to call your doctor.
Chuck: What the heck are you, ohhh ahh no that is ok. Besides you need all of the help you can get Jeff. We would not want you to pay for something and then not be able to get your monies worth.
Lester: You have a point there Chuck. Well we will leave you to burn off all of that energy.
Chuck: Well you could help you know.
Jeff: And mess up the manicure that I just got! No way dude. ( shows his fingernails to both Chuck and Lester)
Lester: What you went and got a manicure without me? How could you. You know I needed a pedicure as well. My toenails need some serious work.
Chuck is just standing there with his mouth wide open. He really doesn't know what to say at this point. He just sits back down and finishes his work. He watches Lester and Jeff walk off and wonders what else those guys have done. A wax job comes to mind and then Chuck smacks himself upside of the head to try and get that image out. Too late that was a nasty brain stamp. He has been lucky as Casey has left him pretty much alone. It is also Morgan's day off so he doesn't have to worry about him as well.
As Chuck finishes the last computer issue, he walks towards Big Mikes office. He knows that it will not be easy for him to get time off, but he did clean up all of the backlog. He walks up and opens Big Mikes door and walks in. Big Mike looks up at Chuck and finishes taking a bite of the banana that he has in his hand.
Big Mike: No, even before you ask.
Chuck: But I have not even asked yet?
Big Mike: It must be something to do with Morgan, otherwise you don't usually come in here.
Chuck: Well, actually it is for me this time.
You see Big Mike straighten up. He has never see Chuck ask for anything for himself in all of these years. At least it was not something for Morgan as usual.
Chuck: I need a few weeks off. I need a vacation and I have too much time on the books.
Big Mike: Are you taking Morgan with you? If your taking Morgan with you then yes!
Chuck: Sorry to disappoint you but no I am not taking Morgan with me. As a matter of fact I would rather no one know until after I have gone on vacation. I kind of need a rest for everyone.
Big Mike: Well, I can understand that. I don't want you snapping on me. I guess we can work it out. When do you want to take this vacation?
Chuck: I want to take it starting tomorrow. I know it is short notice, but I really really need this time off.
Big Mike: Why don't you just stab me in the back while your at it. How am I going to let you leave with all of the backlog that we have? If not for that I would say yes.
Chuck: I finished all of the backlog earlier today. ( smiling because he had anticipated it )
Big Mike: You did! Well I guess I can get Anna to cover for you while your gone. You were not on the schedule for this weekend anyway. I will let Anna, Lester and Jeff know on Monday. Now get out of here and let me finish my snack.
Chuck looks at Big Mike and leaves. He knows that Big Mike will not say anything, mainly because he will probably not come out of his office till he is ready to leave. One more part of Phase 2 is done. The next part of Phase 2 is to talk to Sarah and not give away too much of what he is planning. He also needs to know that when he leaves for his vacation that he has not left it the way they last spoke. He owes her that and himself also.
When he comes out of Big Mikes office he sees Casey watching him. This is a bit uncomfortable for Chuck as he doesn't want to talk to him just yet. He waves like nothing is going on and the hurries over to his desk. Luck was with him as a customer was waiting to talk about a problem and Casey would not approach him with a customer.
It is lunch time and Chuck decides it is time to talk to Sarah and get it over with. This is the part that he hates in his plan. He now has let her know that he will no longer be waiting for her to make up her mind. He must make her understand that he gets her message and it is time for him to look else where. He will never get over her like he did Jill, but he cannot put her life at risk either.
He walks out of the Buy More and heads to Sarah's work. He enters and sees that there are only a few customers left from the lunch crowd. He waits till no one is left and then he goes up to Sarah. She saw him walk in but had not looked him in the eye. He walks up to the counter and just stands there.
Chuck: We need to talk Sarah. I want to get this cleared up once and for all. I don't want what happen to stay that way. Can you take a few minutes please.
Sarah: ( she can tell this is not going to be good ) Sure, I can take my break now.
Chuck waits for her to come out for behind the counter and they head outside to the far tables to talk. Chuck opens the door for her and pulls out the chair for her to sit. Sarah looks at Chuck and is worried as this is not normal for him. She wants to tell him that she is interested in him but she doesn't know how to tell him without it sounding like it is for the job. She waits for him to speak as maybe he will give her some type of opening. Chuck looks her straight in the eye. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gU-D1cTf6M4 starts playing I the background.
Chuck: Sarah, I need to tell you some things and I need you to wait till I am done before you interrupt Please. Can you wait till I am done?
Sarah: I can do that for you Chuck.
Chuck: Good, because I don't think I could finish if you didn't.
Chuck: You know that I love you Sarah and I would do anything for you. I am not a strong courageous super spy and I don't like violence. I run whenever possible, while you on the other hand don't back down from anything! Your not only beautiful but your every man's dream and that is what it has been for me, a dream come true. I can never be a Bryce Larkin and you can never be just an average woman. I know that you need the excitement. That is what spies need or at least that is what I have observed. You seem happiest when your on a mission. We have had some fun ones too, don't get me wrong. I really needed you when you came along. Are you following me so far?
Sarah: Yes, but even the excitement gets old after a while Chuck. Please remember that.
Chuck: Fine, I will try and remember that. I have never really thought it all through till this last mission. I love you, but I have come to realize that you cannot return that love. You could be reassigned or I could be sent away and then where would you be. I just wanted what little time we could have had together and I would have died a happy person.
I get what your have been saying and that you cannot commit to a real relationship, but I need more. If you were free of me being your asset, then you could maybe make a different choice. As of now though, I cannot keep waiting for you to change your mind. Still with me?
Sarah: I think so. ( a serious look on her face )
Chuck: Ok here we go. Sarah, I understand that you have your job and I cannot wait any longer. I have decided that we should only work together on missions. ( a shocked look on Sarah's face at this news) I no longer believe in a 5 year plan and want to live for today. I will always love you Sarah, no matter what you may see in the future, but I am living on borrowed time. I heard you and Casey in the TV viewing room! I hope you understand that whatever happens next is for the best. I hope when it is all over that you will forgive me. I will always be here for you Sarah, but I need someone to share what time I have left.
Sarah: Chuck, don't do something foolish. You know that I will protect you!
Chuck: Yes Sarah, I do. But I also know that Casey will kill you if you get in his way when the time comes.
Sarah's mouth drops wide open. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp9852hq0W0&feature=related How can this be happening! She is in complete shock that Chuck knows that Casey may be ordered to kill him. He must have heard the entire conversation. This was bad, this was very bad. Chuck was now not only about to do something stupid, but was also no longer going to give her a chance to tell him how she feels, but she has got to try.
Sarah: Chuck, you don't have to do anything! I have been trying to tell you how I feel but it is hard for me! I don't do well with real relationships and I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have. Let's try and see if we can begin slow.
Chuck: The problem is that I don't know if your doing this for the job or are real. You are so good at being an agent and I am just your average Joe. I wish with all of my heart that it was for real, but the choice is no longer in my hands Sarah. Things are already set in motion and now we have to just play them out. For once you will have to trust me Sarah. But you will have your freedom soon.
Chuck leans over and kisses Sarah on the lips. It is a soft gentle kiss with warmth and no regrets. Sarah knows that this is a goodbye kiss and doesn't want it to end. Chuck breaks it off and runs his hand through her hair. She is thinking why is it now that he decided that he will kiss her. There is a confidence in him that she has not seen before. She is truly afraid for his life now. What has he set into motion? How does he plan on giving me my freedom? Is he going to get me reassigned or something even worse.
She watches him walk over to the Buy More with a slow steady walk. There is something up and she needs to talk to Casey. They need to find out what he did before Graham or Beckman have him carted off or worse killed! She picks up her phone and dials Casey. The phone rings a few times before she hangs up. She walks into the Wienerlicious and tells her boss that she needs to take the rest of the day off. She doesn't wait for his answer she just walks out. Sarah starts walking to the Buy More to talk to Casey.
Chuck is in the Buy More when Caseys phone starts to ring and then it stops before he can answer it. Chuck walks up to Casey. He waits for the customer to leave and then motions for Casey to follow him to the TV viewing area. When they get there he closes and locks the door. Casey is giving Chuck a questioning glance.
Chuck: Casey, I am sorry but I have made a decision and good or bad, I cannot go back on it now. I would suggest that you decide if you want to stay on the team as you will soon have a choice.
Casey: You know something that I don't Chuck? Have you been contacted by another agency?
Chuck: No, I have not, but I do know that you have been given the standing order to terminate me at some point.
Caseys mouth opens for a sec before he can recover. How the heck did he find out about that. Did Sarah tell him everything? It must be her, how else could he know.
Chuck sees Caseys eyes dart from side to side as he is thinking and knows that he probably thinks Sarah told him.
Chuck: No Sarah did not tell me if that is what you are thinking. I heard both of you talking yesterday. I was outside of the door and it had not close all of the way. Anyway, I have taken steps to address the situation. I hope you can understand that I didn't want to just sit around till you came for me.
Casey: Chuck, you have no idea what your talking about or who your dealing with. We are not the boy scouts you know!
Chuck: I know exactly what I am dealing with. And I have taken steps to ensure that nothing happens to my family and I don't go in a bunker somewhere. Besides this will be your change to get rid of this pain in you butt.
Casey: What did you do Chuck! We are trying to save you here and your going to screw it up just like always! Didn't Sarah talk to you yet?
Chuck: Yes, we talked and I am setting her free to be a real CIA agent. No more baby sitting assignment. No more fake relationship, no more protecting the Nerd. No more for the job excuses. You will have the same choice after tonight.
Casey: Damit Chuck, what did you do! Stop it now before it is too late!
Chuck: It is already too late. I need you to set up a meeting between me and General Beckman and Director Graham. I need it at around 7pm tonight. I would just like to say that I consider you a true friend Casey, even though you don't. I am glad that it will be you that will be the one to terminate me if all goes bad. Just remember that I will not go to a bunker Casey.
Casey: I can help you Chuck, but if you don't stop now it will be out of my hands. I don't want to you to waste your life like this.
Chuck: Just make the arrangement! Thanks for protecting me Casey. I do appreciate it.
Chuck goes to the door and unlocks it and walks out. Casey is staring at someone but it sure is not the Chuck that he meet months ago on top of that building. When did he grow up on them. Well it is out of his hands now. What did Agent Walker do this time? Just as he is thinking about the situation, Sarah walks into the room.
Sarah: have you seen Chuck yet? There is something going on and I don't like it one bit. He has something planned and it is going to get him killed!
Casey: It is too late now Sarah. We already talked and he wants a meeting with both Beckman and Graham. There is nothing more we can do. Well I hope you made your peace with him Walker. It could be his last night. Do you feel that you made the right decision now? Like I said before, you would be his death and you were worried about Fulcrum getting him.
Sarah: I did what I thought was best for him Casey. If I had it to do over, I would do it differently. I hope he knows what he is doing.
Casey: This is Chuck we are talking about here? LOL, he always manages to screw it up. For his sake, I hope you are right for a change.
End Part 6
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything related to Chuck. No characters, no plots, no themes, no nothing. Enjoy! Just ask if you use any part of it that a simple acknowledgement is given. ^)
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