Chapter 3 – Day One, 9:50 AM

Chapter 3 – Day One, 9:50 A.M.

Castle felt strangely quiet compared to the Buy More. General Beckman appeared on the secure monitor, and from the look on her face, the news had not improved her morning.

"If Mariana is alive," she said, "we have a serious problem."

She looked directly at Sarah.

"Agent Walker, I want twenty-four-hour protection on Bartowski, effective immediately."

Her gaze shifted.

"Major Casey, your priority is identifying today's attackers. Dismissed."

The screen went black. For a few seconds, no one spoke. Only the low hum of Castle's computers filled the room. Chuck broke the silence.

"Twenty-four-hour protection detail?"

Sarah turned toward him.

"That means I'll be staying with you."

There wasn't the slightest hint of embarrassment in her voice. Just calm determination. Chuck swallowed.

"Or," Casey growled, "we disappear you into a secure CIA bunker, Bartowski."

He didn't even look up from his desk.

"I recommend you pick Blondie."

Chuck glanced between them.

"…You know, when you put it like that, it's not exactly a difficult decision."

Sarah stepped a little closer. There was none of her usual professional distance. Only quiet resolve.

"This isn't a game anymore, Chuck."

She held his gaze.

"If Mariana even suspects who you are… You're already a target."

Chuck nodded, trying to keep things light.

"Yeah… I kind of figured that out around the time people started shooting at me."

For a moment, they simply looked at each other. Then Chuck smiled.

"So… You're really staying at my place?"

The corner of Sarah's mouth lifted.

"Yes."

Casey snorted.

"The bunker is still an option, Bartowski."

Chuck nodded thoughtfully.

"Sounds… significantly less romantic."

Casey ignored him and moved to one of Castle's computer terminals. His fingers flew across the keyboard.

"The shooters weren't amateurs."

He studied the incoming data.

"Disciplined movement. Military training. This wasn't some hired tug outfit."

"Then who were they?" Chuck asked.

"I'm working on it."

Casey never looked away from the monitor.

"But if Mariana brought them… she's built herself a well-organized team."

He paused.

"Fulcrum could be involved."

Sarah's expression darkened.

"She was always organized."

Chuck looked back at her.

"How long is 'always'?"

Sarah hesitated.

"For a while… We worked together."

Chuck raised an eyebrow.

"'Worked together' as in… friends? Or more like… rival spies who occasionally save each other during explosions'?"

Sarah was quiet for a moment. Then she answered.

"Both."

The single word carried more weight than a long explanation ever could. Chuck nodded slowly.

"Okay… That actually explains… a lot."

Casey finally looked up from the monitor.

"One thing we know for certain."

Chuck and Sarah turned toward him.

"If Mariana knows about the Intersect… she's not going to stop."

Chuck let out a long breath.

"Of course she isn't. Why would she?"

Sarah stepped closer until she was standing right beside him. Her voice was soft. Firm.

"That's why you're staying with me."

She caught herself, then smiled faintly.

"I mean… I'm staying with you."

She met his eyes.

"Either way… I'm not leaving you alone."

Chuck tried to grin.

"So this is the part where I'm supposed to say… 'Oh no… how terrible?'"

He paused dramatically.

"…I'm having a really hard time selling it."

A tiny smile escaped Sarah.

"We'll work on that."

Casey rolled his eyes.

"Get a room."

Chuck looked at Sarah.

"We kind just did."