A/N: Ok so this is my first story so please bear with me, it's almost 4 a.m. here in Canada and I've been wanting to start this for a while. Alright so just a little background info, this is taking place during Chuck vs. The American Hero (3x12) and it revolves around the idea that "what-if" Shaw never found out that it was Sarah who killed his wife. It is currently un-beta(ed) and if anyone would be willing to beta my future uploads, that would be greatly appreciated. Anyways, enjoy and please let me know what you think in the reviews! Let me know if you even want there to be a second chapter haha. Ok enough stalling, here it is, Chapter 1.
A/N 2.5 [UPDATED]: I didn't expect there to be that much buzz over this story right away. Well, I asked for criticism and I certainly got it. I just want to say thank you to everyone who commented, several people pointed out huge plot holes and unrealistic choices made in this chapter. I can also understand why certain people were angry at this story mainly due to the reason that it was completely off plot and it didn't really make sense in terms of keeping canon in accordance with the show. Secondly, I'd like to clear something up. I am NOT a Shaw/Sarah shipper. I've been 100% Charah since day 1 and I did write this story with the intention of including Charah, not Chaw(?). Finally, I made several important changes to the story so I ask everyone who already wrote it off as unlikely and terrible, to please re-read it. I have an idea of where I would like to take this story so I will continue working on chapter 2. Hopefully I'll have chapter 2 up and I'll be able to see how well it goes over with everyone. If there is still interest, I'll continue it. I don't want to keep writing things that will only produce dislike for certain characters or even things that will encourage the mess that part of season 3 was. Please continue with the feedback as it really is appreciated, even if negative, as long as it's constructive, I will take everyone's comments into consideration (that's basically what I did to create a revised version of this chapter).
Oh yeah, I don't own Chuck, but I have seen every episode twice.
March 28th, 2010
3:00 P.M.
Outside an old factory (Undisclosed location)
The red and white Nerd Herder came to a screeching halt outside of what appeared to be an old rundown factory. Jeff and Lester had called Chuck not 30 minutes ago exclaiming how they had followed Sarah's 'new stallion' to this location; Chuck had truly never been happier to know that Jeff and Lester were great stalkers.
"You guys are amazing. I will tell my grand-children about you."
"Yup no problem Chuck. But these guys that Shaw went in with.. They're pretty big. Do.. You.. Uh.. Need.. backup?" That last word coming out as practically a whisper.
"No it's fine guys, you've –"
"Say no more!" And with that, Jeff and Lester hopped into Loretta and sped off.
Chuck reached behind him and pulled out his tranq gun; even though he was technically a full-fledged agent, dental plan and all, he still wasn't comfortable using real guns. He approached the building and hid beneath a window sill, he was able to hear several men talking about stolen surveillance footage and it's relation to Shaw, Chuck wondered what it could possibly be. He stood up just enough to peek inside the building, he spotted at least 15 men, all carrying AK-47s and looking extremely dangerous, and he stared back at what was now a teeny-tiny frail tranq gun. He realized that going in tranq guns blazing would probably only end up leaving Sarah with one more dead body to face. Chuck peeked back inside the building and saw one small but evil looking man setting up what looked like a bomb, except this one seemed to be connected to main power line. Suddenly a video appeared on the screen and Shaw's jaw dropped to the floor; a pretty brunette appeared on the screen, she was smiling and laughing.
"Oh I knew I shouldn't have gotten you a camera for your birthday Danny!" She flashed a white toothed smile at the camera and suddenly the camera man came into the picture, it was Shaw.
"This must have been his wife.." Chuck thought to himself.
BEEP BEEP BEEEP.
"The timer has been set Shaw. 5 minutes from now nothing is going to be left of this building, this video, or even you." The small impish man spoke with a delicate English accent and was wearing a black suit.
"The entire United States Government knows where this building and yes you're right in 5 minutes there will be nothing left of me, but at the same time there will also be nothing left of you or your team."
"Oh Shaw, I didn't mean to upset you. Please don't think I'm entirely evil, besides you're not going to die without knowing the truth about who really killed your wife. You'll be able to die in peace; don't I get some good guy points for that?" The malicious grin painted on the impish man's face was impossible to miss; he was obviously enjoying whatever he had planned.
Chuck had to act quickly, the air force would be dropping bombs on this location in less than 4 minutes and he still needed to get Shaw out of there alive and safe. Chuck had never seen Sarah so worried than when Shaw announced he was going to sacrifice himself to take down a part of the ring and its operations. He had to save Shaw, for Sarah. A small humming noise seemed to grow increasingly louder as Chuck made his way around the building, bingo! He found the generator for the building, if he would turn off the electricity then he could at least get inside the building and sneak Shaw out of there before the lights came back on.
"Well, that shouldn't be too hard." Chuck thought to himself, flipping a switch to turn off the electricity was a walk in the park for an intersect wielding Buy More nerd. The handle of the gun slammed against the lock of the doors to the generator and Chuck pulled opened the doors, he had to act fast, he was running out of time and what he found inside the generator box was not just a simple switch. There were wires running all over the inside and it seemed as if each one was hooked up to a switch that was also attached to yet another wire; it was as if each button/wire combination was hooked up to a different part of the electricity in the building, so Chuck had to be careful. If he accidentally turned off the wrong thing, he would alert everyone inside to his presence.
This was usually the part where the Buy More nerd allowed the intersect to take over and with one quick flash, Chuck was able to know exactly which switch was connected to the lights and bomb. He flipped a few switches, cut some wires, and closed the door of the generator. Chuck checked his watch and saw that he had a little over a minute left before the bombs would be landing.
WHAM!
The back doors flew open and it was pitch dark inside the building, perfect. Now all Chuck needed to do was locate Shaw and they could get out of there.
"Shaw!"
"Over here Chuck!"
Chuck followed the voice and started to loosen up the ties around Shaw's wrists.
"We've got to get of here Chuck."
"You don't have to tell me twice, let's go!"
The two men ran towards the backdoors but instead they were both met with a punch to the face.
"Ah ah ah.. You didn't even introduce your guest Shaw, now isn't a time to start losing manners. Tie them both up and let's get out of here!" The impish man barked orders at his henchmen and they started moving quickly.
20 seconds until the Air Force would be here. Chuck needed to think of a plan to get them out of there and fast!
"Wait for my signal then run Chuck. I'm going to create a distraction and then you'll be able to get out of here." Shaw whispered to Chuck.
"Ok – WAIT. No. What are you going to do Shaw? I told Sarah I would bring you back alive and that's exactly what I'm going to do. Don't do this." The seconds were ticking away and they were moments from being blown to bits.
"Just trust me Chuck."
As one of the men approached Shaw to tie him up, Shaw grabbed his arm, twisted it, and grabbed the gun.
"Run! NOW CHUCK."
"Don't do this Shaw!"
Chuck couldn't do this. He made a promise to Sarah and he didn't want to be another person in her life who left her disappointed, even if this promise seemed impossible to fulfill.
"GO CHUCK!"
Less than 10 seconds until it was all over.
It was now or never and he could still save them both. Chuck's fist collided with Shaw's face and before he could even fall to the ground, Chuck hoisted him over his shoulder and made a run for it. It was more of a fast crawl though, Shaw weighed a lot more than he looked.
WHOOSH.
Chuck could hear the planes approaching from above and with that the first bomb had made contact, creating an explosion. In a rare heroic moment, Chuck found super strength and was able to make it outside and far away enough from the building. He had done it. He had saved them both. Chuck placed Shaw on the ground and then he followed suit, collapsing on the gravel. Chuck was still catching his breath when he heard the familiar purr of Sarah's Porsche approaching.
"Shaw! Chuck! Oh my god."
She approached both men and saw that Shaw was still on the ground, unconscious.
"Is he OK? What happened? He's bleeding!"
Shaw seemed to regain consciousness at the moment and spoke softly.
"I'm bleeding because Chuck punched me."
"WHAT?"
"Sarah I did it because-"
"Because he was saving both our lives."
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Castle (Burbank, CA)
4:55
"Congratulations Agent Walker, we destroyed a ring compound, hopefully eliminating some of their higher ups, and you managed to rescue Agent Shaw. Once again, you and your team prevailed."
"Thank General, but I can't take any of the credit this time. It was all Chuck."
"Noted. Well it's been an interesting turn of events but all of this has only confirmed that you and Shaw are going to make a wonderful addition to our team in D.C. I look forward to working with you both face to face."
General Beckman left Sarah with those words and hung up.
"How's Shaw?" Chuck asked.
"He's still being looked at but aside from a bruised lip, he looks like he's going to be ok. Thank you Chuck, he's safe because of you." Sarah gave Chuck a smile that made his stomach do circles. It was the smile she always had on whenever she was relieved. But not just any relief. It was the smile she had on whenever she had saved Chuck from one of the many bad guys they had encountered together in the past 4 years. It was the smile that always reassured Chuck that they would make it out of any situation safely. It was the smile that he had grown so accustomed to over the past 4 years. The smile that he would soon be without.
"It's no big deal, I'm just glad these iron fists didn't hurt him too much." He held up his hands and laughed. He was a small guy compared to Shaw. "So I guess this is it huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well Shaw isn't going to spend more than a day in the hospital and then you'll both be off to Washington. Saving the world from evil baddies and fulcrum agents, one mission at a time."
"Chuck listen…"
"No it's ok Sarah, I get it. He's handsome, intelligent, and one of the CIA's best. Who wouldn't want to be with him.." Chuck trailed off. Even though he was responsible for saving Sarah's new beau, he couldn't get over the fact that she was leaving. It felt as if so much was being left unsaid.
"You're an agent now Chuck. You're not the person I fell for 4 years ago when I walked into the BuyMore for the first time. When you pull that trigger and kill someone, it changes you. Whether you want it to or not. Maybe if things were different we'd have a chance but it's always been complicated with us and I can't keep you waiting around for me." Chuck had heard enough. Sarah was leaving and she was leaving with the other guy. Story of his life, always being left for the other guy.
"Sarah please don't go. Don't go to Washington with Shaw. Don't leave. Run away with me. Let's do what I couldn't do a year ago. I love you. I love you Sarah Walker. I'm still the same guy that you fell for. I'm still Chuck. Please.. Don't go. I have been holding all of this in for a long time and it feels so good to finally tell you. I. Love. You." Chuck placed his hands on her cheeks and pulled her close, allowing their faces to hover less than an inch away from each other. "I should have left with you a year ago. I was stupid. I thought that I could somehow have everything. I thought that I could still be a spy and keep the girl, I thought that if I didn't have the spylife, I would be a loser. But you showed me that I don't need a badge or tranq gun or even the BuyMore. I just need you." Chuck leaned in forward to kiss her and she didn't try and push him away. Their lips locked and he could feel her hands tightening around his cheeks. Everything that couldn't be said didn't need to be. The kiss said it all.
"I'm going to be at the airport tonight at 8. Don't go to D.C. Find me in Terminal 2. And from there we can go anywhere you want. Paris, Africa, Canada, anywhere. I don't care where we go as long as I'm with you."
"Chuck.. it's not that simple. I can't just up and leave. I've made a commitment to Shaw and the team and the United States government. I'm going to be head of the operations in D.C., they're expecting me, I can't drop all my responsibilities and duties. I just.. I can't.."
"Stop. Don't say anything more. I don't want to have to beg or convince you. I just want to know that for once, I was enough." Chuck sounded defeated as he spoke those last few words. "You know where I'll be tonight, and I really hope that you'll be there too.." He cut himself off as he reproached Sarah and pulled her into a passionate kiss once more.
She grabbed his brown curls and didn't want to let go. She wasn't sure anymore. Of anything. Whether the spy life was something she still wanted. Or if she wanted to see where this thing with Shaw was going. Or even if running away with Chuck was the right thing to do.
He pulled away and walked out of Castle, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Viceroy Hotel (Santa Monica, CA)
5:45 P.M.
Clothes started flying out of Sarah's wardrobe and into her suitcase as soon as she reached her hotel room. She didn't want to think, she didn't want to have to make a choice. A year ago, running away with Chuck was exactly what she wanted. A life with Chuck was the only thing she wanted. But he wasn't ready to throw away his potential career away for them, so why should she now? Who was she kidding, she saw the video Carina left her. She knew that Chuck only had the best of intentions and she was only trying to justify not showing up at the airport to herself. It's different now. Now it's my career on the line and Shaw and Beckman, they're all depending on me now. Chuck isn't the only one who needs me now…
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts and she went to go see who it was. Casey? She had known Casey for more than 3 years and he was not one for good-byes, she wondered what he wanted.
"You got a sec?"
"Sure Casey, what's up? You know if you came on Chuck's behalf, it's really not necessary, I-"
"He doesn't know I'm here." Casey's voice was softer than usual, he scanned the room and saw that Sarah almost finished packing. "You going to the airport?"
"Yeah."
"I'll give you a ride, we need to talk." Casey grabbed Sarah's luggage and they both headed downstairs towards the lobby.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
7:55 P.M.
The taxi pulled up to the airport and Chuck got out. He paid the man his fare and made his way towards the inside of terminal 2. He looked around but didn't see Sarah. As he made his way towards a bench he glanced at his watch, 7:55. He wondered about whether or not she would show up.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Enroute to Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
7:45 P.M.
"Bartowski didn't kill the mole y'know."
"What? What do you mean he didn't kill the mole?"
"Kid didn't have the stones. He's not built like you and me. I pulled the trigger, not Chuck. The kid still uses tranq guns for gods sake."
This was one of those rare moments where Casey referred to Chuck by his full name and not 'moron' or 'Bartowski'. Casey explained the events of that night and Sarah's eyes filled with tears. This was the best news she'd ever heard. It meant that he wasn't a killer. Chuck still represented everything she wanted in a partner. Ever since Sarah had met Chuck, she felt herself changing. Over the past 3 years she found herself becoming less of a spy and more of a person, and it was all because of Chuck.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:00 P.M.
"Casey.. Thank you. Thank for telling me the truth." Sarah got out of the Vic and started grabbing her luggage from the trunk.
"Eh, don't mention it Walker." He grunted and closed the trunk.
"You know, 3 years ago if someone told me that you and I would be saying goodbye like this, I wouldn't have believed them..."
"Come on Walker, don't start getting soft on me now. Dealing with Bartowski's lady feelings is one set too many." He put out his hand to intiate a handshake and Sarah stuck out hers.
Sarah watched as the Crown Vic pulled away and she was left standing alone with her luggage.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:05 P.M.
Chuck had done nothing but stared at his watch for the past 10 minutes, with occasional glances upward, hoping to see the beautiful blonde whom he was so deeply in love with.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:06 P.M.
Sarah headed inside the terminal but it seemed to be filling up quickly, she looked around but there was no sign of him. Where could he be? She thought to herself. It wasn't like him to be late, especially when this was all his idea anyways. She checked her phone, maybe he was running late. No messages. No missed calls.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:07 P.M.
It was starting to fill up inside and a flood of people surrounded him.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:08 P.M.
She looked around the airport, hoping to see her tall, dark haired man walking around somewhere, looking for her too. She pulled out her phone and was about to dial his number, when she saw her partner walk through the airport doors.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:08 P.M.
Chuck felt his legs turn to jello. He had never been more nervous in his entire life, but this was it. This was going to be the first day of their new life together. Chuck felt a huge grin spread across his face, but it didn't last long, and it was quickly replaced by a look of confusion, then sorrow.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:09 P.M.
"What are you doing here Shaw?" She had a look of confusion on her face, she thought that Shaw was going to be staying in the hospital overnight.
He approached Sarah and took her wrist in his hand. He leaned forward to whisper something in her ear as a blank look took its place on her face.
-X-
March 28th, 2010
Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA)
8:10 P.M.
Chuck couldn't move. He couldn't utter a single word, even though several colorful ones crossed his mind. He was in a state of shock and couldn't believe what he had just seen. There she was, at the airport. At terminal 2, getting ready to pass security. But not with Chuck. With Shaw. He felt the color leave his face and just stood there. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion as he watched the two of them walk towards the security checkpoint hand in hand.
The room started to spin and things were getting darker, he felt his knees go weak and standing up was becoming more and more of an effort. His entire body seemed to be shutting down but regardless, he was unable to take his eyes off of the distancing couple. Suddenly it felt as if there was an elephant on his shoulder and Chuck couldn't hold himself up any longer. His knees hit the tile floor and he fell over to the side. Everything was going black but the last thing he saw before his eyes closed completely was Sarah. Flashing a smile in response to something Shaw had said. It was a smile he recognized. It was the smile that said so much. It was the smile she put on whenever she felt in danger during a mission. The smile she would give Chuck to make sure he remained calmed while she figured out a plan to get them out of whatever predicament they were in. Something was wrong.
A/N 2: Whoa, didn't think writing my first FF would be this fun. I actually really enjoyed writing this, even though I'm not sure if it's any good. I guess that's where you, the readers, come in. Please please please (!) let me know what you thought of it. Criticism or compliments are both welcome, I'm always looking for ways to improve my work. Also, I originally planned to make this a chapter series, but I could definitely see this being just a one shot (although there would be several unanswered questions if that were the case...). Anyways, I'm going to continue with working on chapter 2 and see where it brings me. Let me know if you guys would even be interested in reading a second chapter, that would probably give me more motivation to write haha. Hopefully chapter 2 will be up soon! (Assuming this one didn't totally suck lol.)
A/N 2.5 [UPDATED]: I didn't expect there to be that much buzz over this story right away. Well, I asked for criticism and I certainly got it. I just want to say thank you to everyone who commented, several people pointed out huge plot holes and unrealistic choices made in this chapter. I can also understand why certain people were angry at this story mainly due to the reason that it was completely off plot and it didn't really make sense in terms of keeping canon in accordance with the show. Secondly, I'd like to clear something up. I am NOT a Shaw/Sarah shipper. I've been 100% Charah since day 1 and I did write this story with the intention of including Charah, not Chaw(?). Finally, I made several important changes to the story so I ask everyone who already wrote it off as unlikely and terrible, to please re-read it. I have an idea of where I would like to take this story so I will continue working on chapter 2. Hopefully I'll have chapter 2 up and I'll be able to see how well it goes over with everyone. If there is still interest, I'll continue it. I don't want to keep writing things that will only produce dislike for certain characters or even things that will encourage the mess that part of season 3 was. Please continue with the feedback as it really is appreciated, even if negative, as long as it's constructive, I will take everyone's comments into consideration (that's basically what I did to create a revised version of this chapter).
