A/N: So this story was inspired by the book "Unforgettable" by Eric James Stone. Read it and tell me you don't see some Charah in there ;) The science fiction is cool and a great plot device but I'll be honest, I'm not sure I understand the science it's based on.
No ownership of the television show Chuck, 50 First Dates, Groundhog Day, Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International series (flexible minds) or the book "Unforgettable" is stated or implied. No profit (of any kind) is being made.
Canon and fanon influences abound. With specific fanon, I'll give a shout out at the end.
Song: What else could it be …"Unforgettable" by Nat King Cole.
"I once was lost but now am found"
-Amazing Grace
September 26, 2007
The young woman awoke stretching her arms and her long toned legs. She had slept well but felt just a bit fuzzy. She figured that was due to the shift work her residency required. A smile began to spread across her face, knowing that would be changing soon.
The residency was finishing up and she had enjoyed her time in Neurology. It was one of the top residencies in the country and she felt she knew the brain inside and out. Her residency director had practically begged that she continue into neurosurgery but she had felt compelled to head in another direction.
The fellowship in quantum physics was starting in the next few weeks. Once that started, she would be having a more regular schedule. A Swiss based consortium, The Lethe Foundation, had been very generous in sponsoring the fellowship and she was looking forward to furthering her education. The regular hours were just icing on the cake
The woman slowly swung herself over to the side of the bed. She got up and passed her boyfriend hanging with gravity boots from the bar he had installed in the hallway doing sit ups. She didn't even blink. That man loved to exercise and she loved the benefits.
"Morning honey." She greeted him with her morning voice.
"Hey babe! Sleep well?"
"Yeah, but I still felt a little fuzzy this morning. I think it might be the shift work." She shuffled to the bathroom to begin her morning routine.
She had met Devon in medical school and had a torrid affair before they drifted apart. They had reconnected when both found themselves at Westside Medical for their respective residencies; hers in neurology and his in cardiothoracic surgery.
They had just moved in together. It was a new apartment for her, but it was in the same complex as her old one. For some reason she didn't want to leave the Echo Park Apartments. Devon had said she must be sentimental for the place.
Mrs. Heditsian, having recently moved to a retirement community, left the larger apartment vacant. With the increase in pay and the hope for their relationship becoming more permanent, Ellie had purchased the apartment with Devon. Though recently they had been arguing. It must be trivial since for the life of her, she couldn't remember what the fights were about.
After some renovations to the apartment, the couple had moved in. Contrary to what most people thought (thanks in part to his surfer-like speech and his love of foul tasting health shakes), Devon was a really good cook. Ellie suspected he stayed out of the kitchen because she enjoyed it so much and he wanted her to be happy. But when he set his mind to cooking no holds were barred.
They had celebrated their first night in the new apartment last night with Devon cooking dinner.
They popped the champagne before the meal. "A toast to me wearing down the smartest, extremely beautiful, most awesome woman in the world!"
Ellie playfully slapped Devon on the chest.
"You goof." She raised her glass.
"To us and our grand adventure!"
"Chin chin babe, chin chin" and they clinked their glasses.
Devon quickly set out a fig and cheese charcuterie to go with the champagne. They talked and laughed over things going on at the hospital while Devon went to the fridge. He had taken off early to surprise her with dinner. He grabbed the salad he had made earlier. An arugula salad with pine nuts and strawberries with a balsamic vinaigrette on the side.
The main course was a mediterranean style pasta with oysters, olives and artichokes paired with with a bold and jammy Syrah. The meal was finished off with a pecan pie cheesecake with a chocolate crust and chocolate whipped cream topping and espresso and brandy. It was not lost on her that all those foods supposedly had aphrodisiac properties.
Their celebration had continued in their bedroom, long after the dinner and the wine had been consumed. Devon had mentioned something about "every room in the house". She blushed at the thought as she sat down on the toilet.
As she rose to wash her hands she thought about her clothes or lack thereof. "Some night" she mused with a smile. The necklace that she almost always wore was missing but she knew where it was. She was wearing some very small panties and a tank top. Usually she was a pajama wearer. She had been since she was little, when her parents were still together.
They had been a happy family then. Mom, Dad, her and Chuck. God, how Chuck could get under her skin. She would give anything to have him back now. When Chuck died the family just collapsed. First her mom left. She was just twelve years old. Dad fell apart soon after that. When he was there, he was in a haze. Working at all hours of the day and night. Frequently mumbling to himself. A few years later he left in the dead of night after promising pancakes for breakfast and she never saw him again.
Ellie had to truly fend for herself at that point. Unluckily (or not depending on the perspective) before her father left physically, she had to step up, dealing with her father's "absent while present" attitude by learning to use a checkbook, cook and pay bills. The house's mortgage had been paid off so all she had to do was pay the taxes and the utilities. Thanks to a bank error there was always money in the account, but she had to grow up fast.
She bought her first apartment as soon as she could after she graduated high school. A real estate investment company had approached her the summer before starting college at UCLA. At the time, she was just so relieved to be selling the house. After buying her apartment though, she had to admit selling the house without any facetime with a representative was odd.
She grabbed her toothbrush and put some toothpaste on it. Traditionally she was a spearmint girl but she decided to live on the edge today and used the peppermint. When she reached for it, she noticed the tattoo on her left inside forearm. She briefly thought "really some night."
The tattoo was rather simple. Black ink with a block script with the lettering spaced so that bleeding and fading wouldn't be a problem when reading. It read: "Good Morning Ellie". Then underneath it: "read this first". She vaguely thought that it referred to something important before panic set in.
"Devon! Devon!"
"Yeah babe, what's wrong!"
"Devon, I have a tattoo on my arm!"
"Uh huh…"
Devon was pouring himself his morning fitness shake as she ran into the kitchen. His unquestioning, nonchalant manner did nothing to calm Ellie down. In fact it seemed to open the door to a cross attitude.
"Devon! I have a tattoo on my arm that I don't remember getting. Do you understand that?"
Devon repeated himself in the same calm demeanor. "Uh huh…."
"Devon! What. The . Hell?..."
"Not awesome Ellie! Not awesome! " Devon snapped angrily. It was so out of character that she was stunned into silence and took a step back as he continued.
"I don't know if this is a sick joke or you need to talk to one of your clinicians at the hospital. Every day since we packed up for the move you've been pulling this stunt."
Ellie was shocked and hurt by the accusation. Steel entered her voice.
"What stunt Devon? What are you talking about?"
"Everyday you ask me about the tattoo. It's like selective amnesia or something. Everyday I tell you that you got it to remind you to read the book. Then you say…"
"What book?..."
"Exactly."
"What book are you talking about?"
"That's what you say next."
Ellie pinched the bridge of her nose. She could feel the headache coming on. She swore to herself she was going to kill him if he said "Who's on first".
"Devon…" she said as evenly as she could through gritted teeth. "Please. Pretend that this is the first time we discussed this."
Devon was nonplussed.
"You always say that too. Is this a script or something? Nevermind. Forget that. You have a book you been writing at least since I've known you. Maybe longer, I don't know. It's about your brother Chuck…"
"Chuck?"
"Yes, but you call him Charles Carmichael or The Letheman in the book. I think after Chuck died you took your grief for him and gave him a life in this book. He has a superpower and goes on all these crazy adventures. You even have illustrations of him it.
You read it every day and you write in it almost as much. The tattoo was your idea. You got it after watching 50 First Dates. You thought it would remind to read your book. And it did until we packed up our things. Then every morning since then, you keep asking me about your tattoo."
"My book...about Chuck?"
"Well I've had enough so I went into our storage unit and found it. It took an hour or so, but I finally found it. So here's your book Ellie. I was going to give it to you after breakfast."
Ellie takes the "book" in her hands. It has unicorns and pink flowers on the cover with filigree around the words "My Diary" followed by the phrase "read this first" written in black sharpie. The lettering was bolded and underlined with three exclamation marks at the end. Though old and yellowed she remembers how this was one of the last gifts from her mom.
"You need to write in this everyday about your feelings, your surroundings, who you see during the day and what happens. Be as detailed as possible. You never know what might be be important."
Ellie is dying to get into the diary but first she needs to make things right with her boyfriend.
"Devon, I owe you an apology. I don't know what's going on but it's not a joke. I would never do that to you. As for my memory loss, I'll get it checked. I love you and I'm sorry for this morning."
After giving her a look that almost made her want to drag him back to bed for more "celebrating" he replied in typical Devon fashion.
"No worries babe. I'm sorry I lost my cool. I love you too."
Devon had a clinic today but Ellie didn't have to go into the hospital until evening rounds to supervise the new residents. As soon as Devon left, she sat down on the couch with some tea on the coffee table and opened "the book" as she had taken to calling it in her mind.
There on the inside of the cover she recognized the flowing artistic script her mother sometimes used. It reminded her of the filigree on the cover. It was a note from her mother. She caught her breath at an attack of nostalgia and sadness as she realised this was probably the last thing her mother had written to her. It was dated June 21, 1990. Her twelfth birthday.
June 21, 1990
My beautiful girl. Sometimes life gets complicated; other times it's pretty simple. Writing things down will help you keep things straight in the midst of chaos, and remind you of the happy times. You are strong and smart and loyal. I believe you will be able to rise to any challenge you come upon. Whatever day greets you, remember that your Dad and I love you and always will. You are the light of our lives.
Love, Mom
A small tear snaked down Ellie's right cheek before she noticed and wiped it away with her hand. With a huff to settle herself she read the first entry.
June 21, 1990
Mom and Dad (mostly Mom) gave me this diary for my birthday. Mom wants me to write more. She said to record what happens and to be faithful to do it. I'll try but I would rather play with my Barbies and watch tv. Sometimes it's hard. Chuck likes Pokemon and I like the Magic School Bus. I wish I had my own tv.
Ellie remembered that she really had followed her Mom's directions. Every night she would think back on the day and write something in her diary.
September 15, 1990
Chuck had his birthday party today. I keep telling him he isn't 9 yet but he insists that if he is having a party, he is. He invited his friend Morgan. He's like half as tall as Chuck and keeps looking at me out of the corner of his eye. It's creepy. I told Chuck he needs to find someone else to play with. Chuck loves the Game Boy Mom and Dad got him. I was bored but later I got to play with my friend Jennifer.
October 9,1990
School was okay today. Mrs Marston gave us homework. They are vocabulary words. I already have them done. Angie Spencer made fun of me today. She said I like Michael Bridges. He smiled when she told him. I might have to hit her if she does it again. Mom had to leave for a trip. Dad says she'll be back in a week but he looks a little scared. He hadn't mentioned it until Chuck asked where she was and when dinner would be ready.
Ellie was puzzled. The last entry did not match her memory. As she remembered things today Chuck had died, then her mom left. However, according to her diary, Chuck was still very much alive the day their mom left. Still, it was her handwriting in the book. A little sloppier, but her writing just the same.
She read on, engrossed in the entries. Was this what Devon was talking about? Had she invented a world where Chuck lived?
December 25,1990
I was very sad today. Dad said that Mom would be home but she wasn't. Dad forgot what day it was even after Chuck and I put up the Christmas tree last night. He went out to get us gifts. I got a Barbie I already have and Chuck got a tee shirt. I think Chuck and I both felt like crying. I found Mom's charm bracelet in an envelope on my desk today too. I just cried when I saw it and went back to bed.
Ellie remembered the bracelet. It had been a mother and daughter gift. Her necklace matched the bracelet. Her dad had made it out of the same metal he had made her necklace with. It was silver with charms attached in a symmetric pattern. It pained her to remember she lost it a few years later. Ellie wasn't sure about her mother's words but the diary sure brought back the memories.
March 14,1991
I bribed Chuck into watching the ice dancing championship by promising to bring him to see the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles next week. He complained a lot and pretended not to watch but I think he liked it. With Dad working all the time it's nice to just have some fun.
Ellie remembered that night now. They had popcorn and snacks as they sat on the couch. Chuck howled at first but by the end of the championship his attention was glued to the television. She also remembered how he dropped a milk dud into his popcorn by mistake and loved the combination...ugh!
She also remembered that her Dad's behavior was worsening. He was forgetful and seemed to only eat and work. She had quietly started collecting important papers and taking over the checkbook. She even got her dad to sign for an ATM card and a credit card which she kept guard over.
Ellie considered her father from her adult perspective. He was a genius. Dual degrees in metallurgy and electrical engineering, he dabbled in physics and mechanical systems. He had a quick and humorous wit. It all faded except for his work when her mom left. In fact there had been very little left of that man when he later disappeared.
She wondered how she would react if Devon suddenly left her. She loved him so much. She was sure a reaction similar to her father's was a possibility.
Ellie's tummy rumbled and interrupted her musings. She walked into the kitchen for a snack. It seemed like she could always find some sizzling shrimp in the fridge. Devon always bought it for her because it was one of her favorites since college. He would always deny it when she thanked him though.
Lately he seemed to have stopped picking it up for her. It was a mixed blessing. She loved it but it was high in calories. Finding a healthier snack with some grapes she settled down on the couch again.
March 15, 1991
I found a strange boy in Chuck's room today. He is with me right now as I write this. He keeps telling me he is Chuck. It was odd because my brother is dead. He died and my mother left because she couldn't bear it. I was angry and told him to leave. Then the boy also became angry and accused me of being mean to him. He knew where our photo album was and showed me a picture of Chuck. They look just alike. He said that I had acted like I didn't know him all day and that was weird and hurtful which is crazy since I just met him. I thought maybe he was Chuck's ghost but I could touch him. He had the same stinky feet as Chuck too. Dad as usual wasn't around and when he was he couldn't be bothered. I told the boy "Chuck" that he could stay tonight but he would have to leave tomorrow…
March 16,1991
I found a strange boy in Chuck's room today. Apparently that happened yesterday as well. He says that he needs to stay with me because if I don't see him or hear him for a minute, I'll forget him. That's crazy but I'm letting him stay while I write this. It's creepy. He looks just like Chuck but Chuck is dead. He says he is Chuck though. When I told him my brother is dead, he can't explain it. He thought about it and said that maybe he was from another dimension. I find that hard to believe but I don't have a better idea and that sounds like something Chuck would say.
I was going to write about this boy I just caught in Chuck's room but I see I've already written about him...I'm going to need to experiment….8:23 pm
I was going to write about this boy who just showed up and said he was Chuck but I see what I have written before. This is weird. According to previous entries if I don't see him for longer than a minute I forget him. It is now 8:25pm and I don't remember the previous 2 times we've met. I only remember Chuck being dead. I don't remember any other details except that Chuck is dead. Except maybe he's not. I have to remember to read this tomorrow if it happens again...
March 17,1991
"Dad! Dad! Are you in there?"
Ellie was frantic. She had read her diary this morning. Not only were the last entries disturbing, earlier entries indicated Chuck had not died before her mother left, which did not line up with her memories. She also had met a boy that looked like Chuck, but a bit older and taller. Her diary indicated that this had happened before and she needed to see him or she would forget him So she had him stand beside her when she went to her father.
Ellie heard a shuffling towards the door.
"What is it Eleanor? I'm in the middle of something."
Ellie can hardly hold back her excitement. "It's Chuck, Dad! He's Alive!"
The door to her Dad's lab swing open quickly "Eleanor, please don't talk like that." Her dad stops short as he sees Chuck. She can tell from his face he's concerned but he is becoming angry.
"Eleanor just stop...please stop…" Stephen Bartowski looks at Chuck but doesn't recognize this boy who favors what he imagined his son would look like if he had lived.
"Son, I'm sorry for this, buddy. I don't know what she told you but you need to leave now!" He then steps between the two children, facing Ellie and lectures her about pain and loss and respect. A minute passes, then Stephen says "I'm sorry Ellie, what did you want?"
"I dunno Dad. Just checking on you."
"Thanks honey but I'm fine." He gives her a kiss on the forehead and he heads back to his lab. Ellie heads back to her room. She is surprised by two boys in the room. The short one looks up with a strange expression while the tall one has his back to her as he stares out her window.
"Morgan Grimes what are you doing in my room! Is that a video camera in your hands? And you brought a friend! Get out! Get out Morgan! You and whoever your friend is."
Morgan tilts his head and looks at Ellie.
"Stop being funny Ellie, you, me and Chuck's ghost planned this whole thing. That's Chuck...Chuck's ghost."
"Morgan, that boy is not a ghost. Ghosts don't exist…."
"Yes they do Ellie. Chuck's ghost haunts me...almost everyday."
"Morgan you're crazy!"
"That's what I try to tell him El but he won't believe me." The boy at the window turns around to face her.
Ellie just stares at the boy for calling her by the nickname Chuck gave her.
"Of course I don't believe Chuck's ghost. Ellie look at this video."
"What…"
"My mom went to Buy More and got some home security after the breakin last month. It comes with video surveillance..."
God, who would want to live like that?
"Look at the video Ellie."
"Okay Morgan, if I see anything nasty, I will hurt you."
"Noted. Now look."
Morgan pops the VHS tape in the player in the living room. It shows Morgan talking to the air.
"Morgan that proves nothing but that you're crazy."
"Ellie that's just mean, but okay look at this…"
"Morgan…."
"This is the recording from a few minutes ago of you, your dad and Chuck's ghost..."
"Morgan just stop. I'm not a ghost." The boy who looked like Chuck said.
"Chuck's ghost would say that but I'll humor you "Chuck". Ellie take a look at this."
As the video plays, Ellie sees and hears her declaration to her dad and his response before they forget what they had just said. There is no sign of Chuck in the video.
"Ellie, I saw the whole thing. He never moved until you're dad got between him and you, and we came into your room."
March 17,1991
...I found Morgan in my room and nearly freaked out. He had a camcorder and a friend…..
Apparently Chuck had Morgan video taped the exchange. Ellie read more of her diary entries. She discovered that through trial and error with Morgan (and a whole lot of forgetfulness) the extent of Chuck's... talent? Curse? She settled on condition (maybe that was the physician in her even at that young age). If someone did not see or hear Chuck for over a minute, they forgot him.
Between Morgan and herself, they remembered Chuck up until after his birthday in 1990. Then nothing. Both she and Morgan believed he died but didn't remember the specifics. If not for Ellie's diary, which by now had become a journal of whatever is going on with Chuck, she wouldn't remember him at all.
The entries indicated that she could remember the things she wrote about Chuck (once she read them) but as soon as she went to sleep even that memory was gone. Almost like her memories reset after sleeping.
Another thing she noticed was that Morgan seemed to have an easier time believing Chuck was alive. The rules still applied, but he just seemed to adjust to the revelation better. She was jealous of that. She refused to believe that Morgan was closer to Chuck or had some ludicrous mystical connection. She attributed it to Morgan's (putting it nicely) "flexible mind".
The diary revealed other things as well. Chuck was invisible to photographs, except polaroids or other film if they developed in less than sixty seconds, otherwise they were as useless as any other recording medium. Apparently all traces of him were lost just like memory.
The diary indicated that Ellie had a collection of photos stored in a box. She wondered if they were in the storage unit she had with Devon. It also had quite a few sketches of Chuck at different ages. She remembered developing an interest in illustration in high school. An interest in art that she hadn't had earlier in life.
Ellie also read that she and Chuck had discovered a more nefarious use of his condition. Ellie, having taken on the care of the family's finances, was meticulous in her record keeping. When reviewing a bank statement, she noticed that when Chuck used the bank card the transactions did not show up (or any change in the amount of money in the bank either).
Further experimentation revealed that as long as the transaction was electronic, no record was ever recorded. She suspected that this fell within the sixty second rule but it was unknown. Although it was regrettable, she learned that this "side-effect" was what explained "the bank error" that she remembered.
Ellie also found out she had been responsible for educating her brother. Before reading the diary she simply remembered her dad getting the Calvert School home studies for her to augment her classes at school. Now she knew better.
After reading her diary, Ellie practically squealed! An epiphany she had had every day since she was 12 for the most part of the ensuing 17 years, struck her... Chuck's alive! It couldn't be true. Could it? Or was Devon right? That this was a work of fiction from a grieving sister.
She knew what she had to do. Not surprisingly she found him in her phone contacts under "O".
He picked up on the second ring.
"Hey Ellie, reconsidering that invitation for a dinner date?"
"Morgan, stop, I told you no eleven years ago and the the answer is still...no. Now...I have a question to ask you…"
"Yes...yes. Whatever the question is...yes…"
"I haven't even asked…"
"It makes no difference...yes. The answer is yes."
"Be serious Morgan. Just shut up for a minute. Now...why are we friends?"
"Ellie, Ellie, Ellie...were friends because you like me and have a secret crush on me…"
"Morgan, I loathe you and you have a not so secret crush on me…"
"I know, I know...but after Chuck died we bonded and I guess we've been friends ever since."
"That's it?" Ellie says flatly. "There's no other reason?" She knows she's fishing but she can't believe she would lie to herself and she doesn't want to lead Morgan to telling her what she wants to hear. There were entries in the diary from just a few days ago but she wants more than her past self to confirm this crazy belief.
Morgan looks down at the tattoo on his left arm arm. The tattoo was rather simple. Black ink in block script with the lettering spaced so that bleeding and fading wouldn't be a problem when reading. It read: "Good Morning Morgan". Then underneath it read: "read this first" and underneath that was the acronym "P.A.N.T.S.".
"Ellie..what are you talking about? What else could it be?"
Morgan did remember, or at least he did since reading his P.A.N.T.S. (personal artifacts never to share) journal this morning. But Chuck had told him not to trouble Ellie. She was happier, he thought, without her worrying about him. It tore Morgan up to lie to Ellie but he was loyal to Chuck.
Ellie could tell from Morgan's tone of voice that he wasn't telling her something. It was confirmation enough for her. Something was up and she knew how to get to the bottom of it.
"I guess you're right. I still miss him you know."
"I know Ellie, I know."
Now she was sure of it. There was no way Morgan would be so placating. He was prone to hyperbole and the mention of the death of his best friend wouldn't be reduced to a few words.
"Sooo Morgan...I feel bad about the "no" on the dinner date. What do you say to dinner with me and Devon Friday though. I'm making pot roast with potatoes and carrots…"
"Po...pot...pot roast?" Ellie's pot roast was as good as her turkey! "...with potatoes and carrots?"
He almost squeaked the last part. She knew she had him. Now the coup de gras.
"And...candied sweet potatoes with melted marshmallows on top."
" Ellie...I am there! I am so there!"
"Great! See you then." and then she hung up.
Morgan had sweat beading on his forehead and his breathing was erratic. He realised he had to work Friday. Screw it, I think I feel a sick day coming on.
Ellie felt a little guilty for manipulating Morgan but she needed answers. She remembered her Grandma Gunter's saying: you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Morgan could be stubborn and she knew her cooking would soften him up.
She wanted to read more but she had to get to rounds. She had been in her PJs all day, so she headed to the shower thinking about Chuck and her diary. Her schedule was the same tomorrow and she could hardly wait.