~~Author Note: This is my third Chuck fan fiction and it follows the AU story line I created for Agent John Casey last year with, 'Chuck Vs. the Ex-wife' and 'Chuck Vs. The Florists.' It would be better to take a peek at those two before getting into this one, but that's only my suggestion. :)

This time around, the story has a much darker tone. (Though I always find a way to add humor, it's a staple I can't do without and something Chuck's world can't do without.) I was greatly inspired to write this after watching a great Sci-Fi drama called 'Déjà vu.'

I'm letting readers know in case they say, 'Hey! This plot is familiar!' This is not exactly a cross-over. I take no credit for the original ideas, only the (hopefully) unique way I meshed the plot of the movie with the world of Team Chuck. I hope you enjoy this Casey-centric fic! Mrs. PB.~~

-Oo-

Chapter 1: Same as it ever was

If somebody had warned Major John Casey that he was going to have worst day of his entire life, he would have shrugged it off with his impeccable, sardonic grin. It was the same as it ever was, just like the song lyrics said that blared from the speakers of his mint stereo set. He always appreciated the wisdom of the 'Talking heads.' Today was Saturday and the start of a week long vacation. Casey expected to spend most of it at home doing absolutely nothing. He checked the clock after shuffling around the kitchen preparing his snack; it was exactly 11:15am. Last night he had managed to put in a full nine hours sleep and didn't wake up until ten in the morning. He decided the agenda for today would be to drink fine wine, gorge himself on bumblebee tuna and Ritz crackers and just let his mind go numb.

As relaxing as those options sounded, Casey's mind was rarely at ease. Especially since he discovered his ex-wife's secret; they had a daughter. Little Charlotte was now a six-year-old burgeoning beauty that Casey had grown to love madly. His association with her mother, beautiful and strong willed Julia Forsythe, was growing deeper and more committal. That was despite the fact that she and Charlotte lived way up in Canada. Casey had to keep his family situation under wraps. In the last year, his cover was nearly compromised twice. Old villains came back to haunt him and they dangled his new-found family as bait each time.

The last case had beaten his psyche the hardest. Casey discovered that foolhardy, aging members of the ultimate clandestine organization, 'Dracon,' had been hiding out in California. He discovered they had kidnapped his new bride in 1989 and tried to force Government secrets from her with an outrageous torture tactic. Julia had no knowledge of Casey's 'Tony Rosella' cover then. However, she figured out quickly it was Casey they wanted and she gave nothing away to compromise him. Casey's admiration and desire for her grew tenfold when he learned of this a few months ago.

"Love is for suckers, Chuck." He had recently told the Buy more nerd. That was the biggest pile of manure he had ever spewed. Love had never been more a part of his life than now, at least not since he met Julia a lifetime ago. She was the only one who penetrated that solid armor he had encased himself in, and the only one he allowed to do so. Then, there was the exception of that Buy More nerd.

Casey would never tell a single soul that he lost his nerve for Chuck Bartowski's elimination. After General Beckman called him with orders to stop, Casey hurried home and silently shed a few tears. If the day to dispose of the kid ever came again, Casey wasn't sure if he could follow through. He would kill the ones that tried. It was twisted logic, but why should anyone else have the privilege? If Chuck was going to die, Casey was going to take full responsibility, just as he took on the responsibility of saving his life.

He decided to cut the rock music and flipped the disc to play a soothing Beethoven. Just as he situated the headphones on, a series of heart wrenching wails erupted from Chuck's apartment and he recognized Ellie's voice. Casey ripped off the headphones and leaped out of his easy chair. Never mind that he was still in pajamas, a silk robe and bedroom slippers, there was trouble at the Bartowski home. He pulled a spare automatic from a hidden compartment in the right arm of his chair and ran out the door. Ellie's moans grew louder, than muffled. When Casey peeked in, she was crying in Devon's chest, and even he was sobbing. All Casey could make out was her gasping.

"Chuck! Chuck! Oh god! No! No! No!... Not Chuck!"

Casey's heart curled into a tight knot. He had to figure out what the heck was going on and fast. He decided to forgo the pleasantries and banged on their door, splintering the wood. It took a moment, but Devon finally pulled it open, not bothering to hide his tears.

"I heard screaming, what happened? What happened to Chuck?"

Casey rushed inside the apartment; Devon was too stunned to speak and just moved out of his way. Ellie had collapsed in a fetal position on the wooden floor, her face in her hands. She was still calling for her brother, and then even mumbled Morgan and Sarah's names. The mid-morning news was broadcasting live and the newscaster's chilling words cut through Casey like a double-edged sword.

"At approximately 11:00am tragedy struck the Burbank mall…"

Casey stepped over Ellie and sank into the couch. His jaw inched open wider and wider as the camera panned from the stricken reporter to the scene of a horrific explosion of what was twenty minutes ago, 'Buy More.'

In the background, the fires still burned and black plumes of smoke saturated the air, making it hard to even see through the cameras. Casey was so engrossed in the report he didn't realize he had fallen to his knees beside Ellie and was stroking her hair. She grasped at his robes, sobbing into his lap. Devon eventually sank next to him and pried Ellie from off the floor, cradling her. Casey looked at them in a panic.

"Tell me Chuck wasn't at work today? Tell me he was out of the store!" He insisted. His tone was a bit harsh considering the circumstances.

"I can't say! He left here around eight o'clock. He said he had an important errand to run before work. Ellie tried to reach him later but he didn't answer his cell. She called Morgan to remind him to pick up steaks for dinner tonight. Oh my god! I can't believe this happened! Who would do this? Why? All those people!" Devon replied despairingly.

There was still a glimmer of hope that Chuck was alive, but Sarah hadn't called him either. Casey leaped to his feet and bounded out to the courtyard.

"I don't know! But I'm going to find out right now! Take care of her, man!"