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Chuck vs Bryce

Chapter 1

Chuck vs Cabo

A/N : This story is an AU where bryce doesn't kick chuck out of Stanford. And not only that, in this bryce comes off as a lot more friendly. So in case you cannot handle bryce being the good guy, or are simply looking for bryce-bashing you may as well stop reading now.

A/N : This picks up right in Chuck Bartowski's final year, more specifically when Fleming offers Chuck a job.
This is a multi-chapter multi-arc story much like my other story Chuck vs Charles - yeah, I'm totally promoting myself - so go read that too if you haven't already, where all characters are trying to further their own interests, and there are no obvious villains, no black and white.
And those who have read, and waiting for an update, don't worry, updates are coming your way, just a little slower.

Disclaimer : Don't own Chuck, or any other copyrighted content mentioned in the story. All copyrights belong to the respective owners. I'm also not making any money from writing these stories.

Streets of cabo san lucas

Chuck was walking down the streets of cabo along with Bryce thinking about how everything had changed this fall. He, Charles Irving Bartowski, was a CIA recruit.
He was going to be a spy. And best of all his best friend Bryce was already recruited and was also going to be in training with him. Of course, Bryce would be better than him. He was athletic and charming and fit the image of a spy.
Not that he knew how spies looked, but he figured terminally handsome had to be on the list, unlike his tall lanky build with disheveled hair. But that didn't matter to him now. His mind was elsewhere.
He was in cabo with Bryce. He was supposed to be enjoying the last few days until he had to go back and finish his finals. When a few days ago he would have been happy about the situation, right now he wasn't.

He remembered back to when it had all started, about 7 months ago.

Senior year at Stanford
Fleming's office

Fleming sat down and began his usual pre-recruitment procedure.
He had recruited two to three people every year and he had known what to expect when talking to the candidate the first time.
He prided in knowing that no one had turned down his offer when he had explained them what he was recruiting them for.
He started the recording he would have to submit to the CIA and said "This is Glass Castle, Recording meeting of subject 0326 Bartowski Charles. This will be his first meet"
Turning around he pressed a button and lifting the receiver, said "Send Mr. Bartowski in"
Only Bryce Larkin entered, So Fleming said "Mr. Larkin, I'm afraid this isn't a good time. I'm waiting for another student"
Bryce however was in a different mood "You put Chuck on the CIA recruitment track?"
Fleming frowned, he had not anticipated Bryce to know until later. "It's not up to me Bryce. They want him for the omaha project"
"That's a military project. I want my friend out of this" Bryce seethed out.
"He is the perfect candidate Bryce. The agency is not going to let go of a recruit this promising"
"He doesn't even have a choice?" Disbelief was apparent on his face.
"He is in no matter what" Fleming said with conviction. He spoke like he knew something the man sitting in front of him didn't.
"Then I think it's time you helped me professor" Bryce finally said, defeated.
Fleming leaned in to listen to what he had to say.

Fleming's waiting room

Chuck was getting kind of bored and a little nervous sitting outside Professor Fleming's office. Okay who am i kidding? -thought chuck. I'm already nervous and a little freaking out.
He just wanted to go out so he could talk to Bryce. Or maybe Jill. Or maybe even go play a game or just relax in his room.

He didn't understand why Bryce was being so cryptic. He had looked like someone had punched him in the gut when he got a message to meet Fleming in his office.
He also didn't understand why bryce tagged along, and asked him 'not to mention any of this' to anyone else. When asked what he meant, He would just say "Trust me buddy. Just stay here. I'm gonna go in and be back. Don't talk to anybody" no matter the four times he had asked him just what the hell was happening while sitting out in the waiting room. Just what did he mean by that anyways?

He didn't get a chance to ask the same as Bryce came out, looking angry but a little scared, chuck thought.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask bryce what the heck was going on byrce says "Go in. I will be waiting here. Everything will be explained to you inside"
"What is going on?" Chuck said with frustration Bryce just shook his head and repeated "Go inside. Everything will be explained to you"

Chuck hadn't understood then, so he had just walked into Fleming's office who had smiled and asked him to sit down. He proceeded to tell him that he was doing exceptionally well in all of his exams, and then proceeded to tell him that he was in consideration for a job.
"I don- I don't understand. A job? Professor? I'm sorry are..are you starting a company?"
Fleming had laughed and said "No son. The job I'm offering you is a very different kind of a job. How would you like to serve your country son? Be a part of something great. Actually make a difference. Not become just another wealthy prick when you graduate" Fleming had acquired a rich fatherly tone as he was saying this to chuck.
Chuck was too shocked to consider what Fleming was saying. But chuck wasn't athletic. He wasn't fit. "Are-are you talking about the military? Peace corps? Because-because i have to tell you i haven't considered it" I am an engineering major, and a major nerd for christs sake. What is the professor thinking? -thought chuck.
"No chuck. Not the military. The Central Intelligence Agency. How would you like to be behind enemy lines, save lives.. and make a difference? Fight for the grater good?"
Chuck wasn't quite sure what he was hearing. What was happening? Was Fleming asking him to be an agent? A spy? Was that what Fleming was getting at? What was Fleming thinking?

And Bryce-Bryce somehow knew what was happening. How did he know that? This wasn't the kind of information that was made public. Right? I mean, Of course i don't know how the CIA likes to operate but i didn't see any stands from the CIA on career day. Plus he had strode, no strike that, stormed into Fleming's office and talked with him when chuck was called in.
He had asked chuck not to speak of this to anyone. It had to be becau.. Bryce knew he was called in for this offer. It would be impossible for him to know unless... unless he had gone through the same.
"Professor, Did-Did you offer the same job to bryce..? larkin?"
Fleming frowned, "Why do you ask that?"
Chuck just shook his head, Fleming hadn't denied. He took a breath "Just... When did he accept?"
Fleming changed tracks suddenly "Very smart chuck. And this is one of the reasons why you are on the recruitment track. He was offered in junior year and he accepted. He was on the list before you because of his athletic abilities. Now, Are you ready to man up and serve your country like your friend Mr. Larkin? I see a lot of potential in you son. This kind of opportunity does not come twice. Think carefully before you answer"

Chuck thought it over. Just yesterday he would have said no. He might even have laughed that he was even considered for the job. But as he thought it over he realized that it indeed was an opportunity of a lifetime. He thought he wanted to be just another wealthy prick. But suddenly somehow it didn't sound all that alluring now. Now it felt downright selfish.
After all Bryce was also offered and he had accepted. His own sister Ellie was becoming a doctor to save lives. He could do the same thing. He could save lives. He could make a difference too.

"Tell me more professor" Chuck said his interest piqued.
The professor smiled as he said, "Before i say anymore, you would be required to sign this" and he placed a sheet of paper in front of chuck. He also placed a pen beside it.
Chuck read the document, it contained the CIA emblem on the letterhead and he was awed.

He scanned the document that was basically a NDA. It identified professor Fleming as the recruiter for the CIA and himself Charles Irving Bartowski as the trainee.
Chuck looked up with shock into the face of Fleming. Signing it meant accepting the job.
"I'm afraid i can't say any more until you accept Chuck. It's protocol" smiled Fleming sadly. And his voice again took that fatherly tone when he said "Look son, if you join, you will get to travel the world, all the while, you work for your country, while you defend your country, and your people. I won't tell you that the job is not dangerous, because it is - it is more dangerous than working for a private company sitting behind a computer writing code. But is that how you want to live? Become another application developer for a rich guy who frequents cayman islands to hide his money and evade tax? Or you want to become something bigger? Someone who has mattered in shaping our future, and has saved innocent lives, lives of your family and friends, and lives of other people."
"If you can see yourself doing that, then, embrace it, take a step in the right direction by signing that, or walk away. If you walk away i have to warn you, you will forget this meeting ever took place. But if you do sign, you will be accepted as a CIA trainee, and you will attend training after you finish college. So, what is it you choose son? Are you ready to serve your country, to fight for the grater good?"

Chuck was listening with awe as he imagined himself saving the day. He had always been a nerd - he had dreamed of getting powers and becoming a superhero, okay so a lot of kids dreamed that who weren't nerds, but.. he was getting a chance.
As he thought it over again, although he knew he had already decided. Somehow he also felt like the professor had played him to make him accept. However he pushed that thought aside and sat up straighter and said "I accept professor" and signed the document.
Fleming smiled and said "You will be put on track and papers will be made ready for you to sign. You will start receiving monthly packets along with instructions if any. I am your recruiting officer glass castle. You will mention me by my code name wherever you have to. Your training will begin as soon as you graduate"
Fleming handed him a packet. It was brown and looked like all other standard A4 packets "It contains all the information you need-to-know. Take it with you discreetly. DO NOT show it to anyone else. DO NOT tell anyone else. You will also sign a non-disclosure agreement when you report tomorrow. Read those documents today and burn them"

Chuck a little dizzy from all the information just said "Glass castle? Bryce-bryce knows what's happening here. And-and he is also recruited. So i can... talk with him. Right? I mean technically he already knows what's happening here -It's not like i'll even be telling him anything new"
Fleming just looked over like he was studying him. Chuck was afraid he would refuse. Fleming for his part said "You cannot discuss anything i tell you nor will he discuss anything i tell him. Read the package. Burn it. Report tomorrow at 0800 here. You will understand everything"
"Don't worry about it too much. Everything will be explained to you. Just remember you cannot tell anyone about anything that has transpired here" He added sternly. Then he proceeded to show chuck to the door.

Chuck had walked in a daze outside holding the brown packet in his hand. Bryce had stood up and looked at his hand. He had looked sad and a flash of anger had held his face but it cleared and gave way to a grin. He walked up to him and said in a low voice "Tuck the packet under your shirt. Follow me"
Chuck still in a daze just did as he was asked to and followed Bryce to the old books library. The library that no one used. Bryce swiped his ID and went in. Chuck quickly took out his own ID and went in after him, "Why here bryce?"
"It doesn't have any closed-circuit cameras and no one will disturb us here. You can go through the contents and then we will destroy them. Common" And bryce jerked him forward with his hand on chuck's back and took him to the third floor and towards an abandoned area by surrounded by really old books in really old bookshelves. There was a table there with two chairs as if arranged just for them.
Bryce gestured for him to sit and sat opposite him and said "Well...
How cool is it?"

A/N : In this timeline, you have to remember that Chuck looked up to bryce. Even in the Episode Chuck vs the Truth, it is evident that while the two are friends and goof around, and have fun, Chuck being chuck looks at bryce as if he can do anything. It is also apparent in Chuck vs Nemesis when bryce and sarah are fighting, he looks at them in awe, despite knowing that, had bryce not kicked chuck off recruitment track, he would have had the required training and probably been able to do the same.

So, that will continue, for some time, and Jill will also make an appearance in the coming chapters.

Really sorry for taking so long to post this, as well as taking even longer still to post an update to Chuck vs Charles. I hit something of a writer's block - not the kind where you can't write, but the kind where what you write doesn't seem good enough for you to post it. Updates will come.

Review. Please. That's how writers know what's good and what's bad, and that's something we like reading.

Cheers!