A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and PM's I got on this first chapter. I think that doing research for these first few chapters have been a lot of fun. I want to thank PJ Murphy for the Beta and David Carner and Frank Suppa. More on that in the AN at the bottom.

The entrance to the city tavern was very interesting. When you entered into the establishment, it looked like just about any other to be found in a large city, the smell of ales and cider filling the air. However, the most memorable part of this tavern was the atmosphere. It was electric. The conversations in almost any tavern were wide and varied, but this was Philadelphia's. As a Patriot, you just knew about the glorious events at Lexington and Concord. Even the first Continental Congress was held here. Topics ranged from how they could let King George know how oppressed they were, or should they just ignore farmer George.

Casey and Sarah entered the tavern and saw farmers, politicians, business owners, and any number people from any walks of life.

"Don't you understand? You invaded Canada! Then you made us speak English. English!"

The entire tavern turned toward the group in the middle of the main room. A tall, lanky man partially stood and whispered something to the one who was yelling. His response was immediate and just as loud as his previous comment.

"Charles, I do not care what these riffraff think. I am not an Indian, I am a proud Canadian. I am not some wild heathen."

Casey looked at his friend and saw her eyes squint with a silent rage for a quick moment. Then just as fast, it was gone. He then faced forward back to the scene before him.

The tall lanky man stood up straight, clearly growing aggravated with his companion. "Well, it's a good thing you're not. The Indians have enough trouble without having you among them. Besides, sir, how dare you stand there and act like you are superior. Every single Indian I have met was firmly superior to you. I can no longer be in the sight of you, you tosspot."

The man named Charles took a deep breath and walked toward the bar, his fists clenched at their sides. A small man with a beard grabbed Chuck's arm to get him to stay, but Chuck just shook his head and kept moving to the bar.

Casey nodded his head toward the bar as Sarah quietly walked outside to wait for Casey to bring Charles to her. Although, there was something about the look on Sarah that he had never seen before.

Casey approached Charles at the bar. "It is hot today, but the summers in the commonwealth of Virginia are so much worse," he said

Charles eyes seemed to open significantly further once Casey had given him the code. He let a moment pass. "I think you can find some cooler areas. If you'd like, I can direct you to where they are," he replied.

For John Aloysius Casey, he had been through the war with Canada. Fought both conventionally and in unconventional warfare. He had worked in espionage ever since, and in doing so had seen his fair share of painful experiences. In fact, he took pride in his knowledge of all varieties of torture. And yet, he was woefully unprepared for Charles Bartowski. He just seemed able to talk incessantly. Had it not been for Walker acting…differently…around this guy, he might have run off a cliff himself. But when the…kid seemed an appropriate description for him…started telling Sarah why he stopped eating sandwiches around Dr. Franklin, he had had enough.

"Listen, I know some people like to talk, but would you stop?" Casey hissed. "We've got three more days till we reach our target. Let's just keep it to pertinent information."

Sarah rolled her eyes for what seemed to be the thousandth time since Casey and Chuck had met. "Chuck, why didn't we stop so you could say goodbye to your family? I thought you said you had a sister?" she asked in a far less acerbic tone than her partner.

Chuck lowered his head to where his chin hit his chest. "Ellie and I are a bit strained right now. Her husband, Devon, is amazing, but his family are loyalists. While they are debating going back to England, we've been distant to not cause an issue."

He looked forward down the trail for a few moments before he continued. "Dr. Franklin is an amazing man. He came back from his trip and reminded me that I have to be careful to whom I speak. It was at this time that I was reminded that the best way to keep her safe was to stay away."

Chuck laughed a rueful tone, which took both Casey and Sarah by surprise. "Dr. Franklin said we must all hang together, or we shall all hang separately."

Silence then lowered itself on the small group for the next few miles.

"I am curious, Mr. Bartowski. Sarah and I know what our mission is and how we will complete our assignments. What is yours?"

Chuck looked at his teammates. "I have always had a gift for math and language," he told Casey. "Dr. Franklin recognized it and got me some training. He taught me a cypher. It allows us to send messages back and forth without fear of interception."

Casey got a smirk on his face and looked to say something, but before he could Sarah spoke up. "How many languages do you speak?"

"I don't speak any other languages fluently, per se; I just have the ability to understand them quickly. I can understand French, Dutch, and some Indian."

Chuck saw Sarah's eyes soften before his own gaze for a moment until he heard a whiz go by, and Sarah's eyes turned stone cold.

"Get down, Chuck," she said as their little band dissolved into chaos. Five men appeared out of the woods with their guns facing the group.

"Look at these fancy people just riding," the lead bandit said in a mocking tone. "I wonder if they know how much we need those horses?"

"Yeah, I think they will figure it out," another said.

The bandits attacked, rushing the newly formed team. Casey calmly stepped up to the lead man and punched him in the mouth. That slowed two of the rear men, but the others headed for Chuck and Sarah. Sarah got low and stepped on the foot of the second man, pirouetting and throwing her elbow in to the jaw of a third man, knocking him out. The second man, hopping in pain from what Sarah did to him, went for Chuck. Sarah turned to see Chuck lift up his leg and turn, covering himself the best he could. His attacker was so surprised that he sprinted faster, completely missing the root of the tree sticking out in front of him. He tripped on it and fell into the tree, slamming his head on the trunk.

On the other side of the tree, Casey grabbed his pistol and shot the fourth henchman. He turned to aim at the final henchman, who had leveled his gun at Chuck. Sarah produced two knives, throwing the first into the wrist of the henchman, making his shot miss. She then closed the distance in an instant, slashing at him with blind fury. Chuck turned and looked on in shock, never having seen that last attacker until he witnessed the absolute carnage Sarah was inflicting upon the man.

Casey walked over to Sarah and put her hand on her shoulder. She bolted upward, the fury in her eyes unmistakable. Eventually her breathing slowed, and she wiped the knife clean on the coat of the dead bandit. As she put it away, she turned to Chuck and looked at him. She began to shake a bit.

"We need to keep moving," he said quietly, attempting to give Sarah the space she needed. "We have to stay somewhere tonight. I don't want to have to do this again."

Chuck quietly nodded and got back on his horse. The three quickly departed the area, leaving the bodies where they were. The silence as they left was deafening.

Once they were out of earshot, Casey started fidgeting in the saddle and showing signs of being uncomfortable. They had gone a few miles when he stopped his horse and told everyone to get down off of their horses. As soon as Chuck's second foot hit the ground Casey walked straight up to him and pushed him against a tree. He looked like he was about to pound on him.

That was right up until the moment a knife imbedded the tree just above their heads.

Casey looked at Sarah with a hand still on Chuck's chest as he squinted his eyes, shook it off, and turned back to Chuck. "What kind of a moron are you?!" he yelled, breathing enough fire to keep an entire company of men warm all winter. "We have been sent to keep Abagail Adams safe. The wife of John Adams. They are both so important that General Washington sent us. Then, they want you to help, and you can't even defend yourself!"

Casey grabbed the lapels of Chuck's coat and shoved him against the tree. "What good are you?!"

Casey felt a strike against his thigh, right above his knee. He then went down hard, letting go of Chuck in the process.

Chuck stared at Casey, the man who was ready to beat him until he bled, grimacing in the snow. The relief poured over his face…until he looked up and saw his protector. When he looked into Sarah's eyes, he saw cold fury. It was like waking up in the morning to see a covering of snow before anyone had crossed it. Cold…yet quietly beautiful.

And just as quickly, her eyes went from a bitter winter to a glorious spring day. He shook his head and when he looked into her eyes again a wry smile came upon his face.

The moment ended when he heard a growl and Casey rose, blocking his view of her.

"What is your problem, Walker?" Casey barked. "I know you're eager to show him your apple dumpling shop, but this is important. If he can't defend himself, he might jeopardize our entire mission!"

Upon hearing the crass vernacular, Sarah blushed and opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted. "Just because you have an important mission, it does not mean you can be crude, sir," Chuck said in a firm tone that took Sarah by surprise.

Casey began to swing around to face Chuck, but he stopped and let the moment pass. "Walker, don't get flustered," he said in a far less aggressive voice. "This is important."

Chucks shoulders slumped and his head was down. "Casey, I apologize for not being a soldier or a fighter. Those were never what I was meant to be. All I know was I was given a letter by Dr Franklin that my services were needed."

Casey growled again and stormed off towards the woods.

Sarah and Chuck looked at each other, both starting to speak and stopping several times. "I am sorry for burdening you," Chuck finally said, hints of defeat and regret in his words. "I promise I will make myself useful on this mission."

Sarah took a few steps toward Chuck and grabbed his hand. "I know there is no way Dr. Franklin would send you on a wild goose chase."

She took a step closer and looked hard into his eyes. "Just do one thing for me."

"What is that?"

"Trust me, Chuck."

He nodded and squeezed her hand. "I do."

They let go of each other's hands to check on the horses.

AN/2: PJ really smoothed out the fight scene. I must admit I used him as a crutch. Just FYI another chapter or 2 before we make it to Braintree (google it if your curious). BTW there is an amazing story about the last days of Jefferson and Adams. If anyone's interested I'll make it an epilogue.

Finally, if you enjoyed this go to the Facebook group Chuck fanfiction. It's a nice friendly place where everyone knows your name.