An idea that popped into my head and wouldn't let go.
--
The next time the Intersect kicks in, it isn't on a mission.
Chuck's standing in the kitchen, back to the hallway, discussing the finer points of the perfect sandwich with Sarah (a topic he finds everyone has an opinion on) when Awesome walks up behind him and claps his hands down on his shoulders.
Normally, this would elicit a yelp of surprise, Chuck jumping before laughing nervously.
Normally.
But things are different, now. It's almost like a hard-drive whirls to life – Chuck grabs the hands on his shoulders and spins around, Awesome's wrists twisted like a soft pretzel – Awesome cries in surprise and pain --
Chuck screams at the new instinct – No danger here! It's Awesome! -- and his hands release his brother-in-law like he's just touched something hot.
The room falls eerily quiet.
Sarah smiles and lets out a fake, forced laugh. "We've been taking self-defense classes."
She tries to put her arm around Chuck's shoulders in a show of couple solidarity, but Chuck isn't in the kitchen anymore. Ellie's too shocked to notice his departure; she has Awesome's wrists in her hands, the doctor in her needing to fix everything.
Sarah leaves them. Checks Chuck's bedroom, looks through the window to see if he's outside. Moves down the hall to the spacious double bathroom and finds him leaning against the sink, brown eyes wide – spooked – his breath fast between quiet reprimands.
"That is not okay," he's growling at the parasitic computer fighting for dominance in his brain. "You can't attack my family."
"Chuck." Sarah moves behind him, watching his face in the mirror. He closes his eyes, shakes his head.
"Sarah." Looks down. "I can't do this." He must be back in control because his movements aren't fluid anymore; his head snaps up quickly and he turns to face her with all the foot-fumbling grace she fell in love with. "I just hurt Awesome," he says as if that explains everything. "Me. Chuck."
"I understand that," Sarah replies, her hand rubbing his arm. "But you just need to learn how to control it; no one expects you to know how to balance things in three days."
"You may not, but what about Ellie? And Awesome? They have no idea what's going on – I have no idea what's going on up here!" he shouts, tapping his head. "What if the Intersect takes over? What -- "
She has to stop this; Sarah pulls him into a tight embrace and rubs his back in soothing motions. "Chuck, please, give it time. Everything will work out. Trust me."
He falls lax in her arms, head resting on her shoulder. They stand that way for awhile – neither knows for how long – the sunlight dancing over them in rainbow patterns as it shines through the stained glass windows.