A/N: Hey guys. So here is another story to satisfy my Chuck void (: Its a songfic...though its only half of it, because I haven't finished the other half. I just wanted to post the first half for you guys to read first, since I haven't updated in a while (BAD ME). (:

I've working on the next chapter of 'Chuck vs the Dads', but I still haven't gotten it done yet.

But I have ONE MORE WEEK before my summer holidays (: I'm SUPER excited - hopefully I can get more writing done then once the stress of school is gone :P

But until then, enjoy! (:

Any mistakes are mine.

STITCH BY STITCH

Blue and black, heart torn out,

You uncover what's beneath my skin

There and back, there's no doubt, your touch is my medicine

A light winter breeze blew through the courtyard, creating a slight chill in the air. Chuck trudged slowly back to his apartment, his whole body stiff partly from the shock the day's events, and partly from the coldness the air bore.

As he reached out for the doorknob of the front door, he caught a glimpse of his wedding band glimmering in the moonlight. He felt a pang of sadness emanate through his heart. It served as a reminder of what he once had; a reminder of the good times.

Suddenly, he heard the voice of an angel. His angel. He turned around and saw her standing by the entrance of the courtyard. Sarah. Was she real? Or was she just a product of his malfunctioning mind, unable to comprehend the fact that his wife no longer remembered him?

'Hi.' She said in a small voice, giving him a small, shy wave.

'Hi.' He breathed, unable to take his eyes off her. It was really her.

She took a step towards him, and made eye contact with him. 'I just wanted to tell you that I believe you. I believe everything that you told me about us.'

Staring into those baby blue orbs, he felt beginnings of a small smile begin to form on his face. Maybe they had a chance. Maybe all wasn't lost after all.

But as she continued, he realized he was simply getting his own hopes up. 'But, the truth is Chuck, that, I don't feel it. Everything that you told me about us, and our story, I just...I don't feel it. '

He didn't know how to react, but he had to say something. So, he said what first came to his lips. 'Right. Right. Of course. I – uh – I don't know what I was expecting.'

But the more he began to process what she'd just said, the more baffled he became. 'So what are you doing here, then?'

'Well...' She broke eye contact with him and stared at a spot on the floor for a while before continuing. 'I wanted to say sorry for everything that happened today. But most of all, I want to say goodbye.'

That one word hit Chuck like a bullet to the chest. Goodbye. It seemed so indefinite, yet so permanent at the same time. Was it goodbye for a couple of days? A couple of months? Or forever? Would he ever see her again?

'Where are you going?' He questioned, a quiver in his voice.

She looked up at him one more as she answered, 'Quinn took away my life. And I have to...well I have to go find him.'

Chuck was paralysed for words. The love of his life was leaving, and he didn't know how to respond.

Sarah, seeing that Chuck was frozen, took another step towards him, and placed a hand on his forearm. As she looked into his eyes, she offered a final word. 'Goodbye.' She gave him a small smile.

He revelled in her touch, and just barely managed to whisper a response. 'Goodbye.'

As he watched Sarah turn and walk away for perhaps the last time, he struggled to keep his tears from flowing freely down his cheeks.

They marred his vision as he restrained himself from sprinting after her and holding her close in a tight hug. It tore his heart to let her go. She was right there, in his reach, just a mere step away.

But as much as it hurt him, he needed to do what was best for her. And that was to give her space. As much space as she needed, and hope that one-day she would find her path back to him.

And I'll give you all my pieces broken

In your hands, there's nothing that you can't fix

My heart is frayed, my scars are open

So put me back together now, stitch by stitch

Put me back together now, stitch by stitch.

Five weeks later, she turned up on his doorstep, battered and worn out. Hair dishevelled, face makeup-less: telltale signs of fatigue and stress. She wore a simple shirt and a pair of jeans, and had her luggage in tow.

In the past five weeks, she had searched high and low for her place in the world. She tried submerging herself back into the life of a spy, going on missions day after day. She tried going back to live with her mother. She tried a bunch of other different professions, but nothing satisfied her.

There was a gaping hole in her heart that needed to be fixed – with it present, she could never be satisfied with anything. And so, her search ultimately led her back to where she'd first started – Chuck.

Now she was there, but she couldn't bring herself to knock on the door. Dropping her duffle bag on the patch of grass next to the porch, she began pacing back and forth. The sun had just rose, and its morning rays shone on the fresh morning dew, making it glisten.

She sat herself down on the first step of the porch, focusing in on the sound of the birds chirping in the distance, not really thinking about anything in particular. She took in the serenity of the environment, the peacefulness, and just the utter beauty of it.

If only life could always be like this. She thought to herself.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a small animal whimpering through the chirps of the birds. She looked to her right, and saw a small puppy limping towards her. It was a golden retriever, no more than 5 months old. Its hair was matted with dirt, and there was a half dried up patch of blood on its right foreleg.

When the puppy reached her, it sat down next to her let out a small whine. Hesitantly, she placed a hand on the puppy's head and began stroking it gently.

Chuck was awakened by the sound of a small animal whimpering outside the apartment. As he rose from his bed he stretched his hands out and patted the empty spot next to him.

160 days since I've last seen her. He thought to himself.

He lingered on the bed for a while longer, before getting out of bed to track down the source of the whimpering.

The sound led him to the front door of the apartment. Upon opening the door, he found a blonde woman sitting on the porch, stroking a small puppy.

It looks like... He let out a gasp as he recognized the small duffel bag sitting next to the porch.

Sensing a presence behind her, Sarah slowly turned around and saw Chuck. He was wearing a pair of long pajama pants, and a moderately tight white shirt – under which you could somewhat make out the outlines of a lean muscular torso – and his hair was still tousled from sleep.

They both froze for a split second, not knowing what to do.

'Umm...Hi.' Sarah said hesitantly.

'Hi.' Chuck replied.

There was another pregnant pause. Chuck was just about to offer his hand out to Sarah to help her up off the step when she stood up herself, and gathered the little puppy in her arms.

Chuck, embarrassed, stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave her a tight smile.

'You know – ' They both started at the same time. They both then paused, and waited for the other to continue.

It was as if the puppy could sense the awkwardness of the situation, because it was just then that he decided to let out a little whine.

Sarah shifted him into her left arm and used her right arm to stroke his head.

'Umm..so where did you find him?' Chuck asked.

'I found him limping towards your apartment.' She looked down at the puppy's wounded leg. 'I think he's hurt.'

'Why don't we...shall we...' Chuck struggled with his words. He still couldn't believe she had come back. 'You want to come in?' He finally managed to get out.

She nodded, then held out the puppy to Chuck. Chuck took the puppy in his arms, but in the process brushed against Sarah's arm with his arm. He felt a sort of tingle go up his spine – it gave him a renewed sense of hope.

'Come in.' He invited.

Sarah picked up her duffel bag off the grass and walked into the house. When she was inside, Chuck eased the door shut with his foot, then carried the puppy off to the bathroom. 'Let's get him cleaned up.' He said.

She was left standing in the doorway of the apartment, with her duffel bag on one shoulder. She clasped her hands together in front of her, because she didn't know what else to do with them.

What am I supposed to do? She thought to herself. She felt a tug in her heart, as if this place was some place important. And it was, supposedly. It's just that she didn't remember.

She decided to do what felt right. She set her bag down next to the door, slowly walked over to the living room area and sat herself down on the edge of the couch.

10 minutes later, Chuck came out of the bathroom with the puppy wrapped in a towel. He set him down on the rug, before sitting down on the other side of the couch, careful not to get too close to her in case she was uncomfortable with the intimacy.

The puppy unwrapped himself from the towel, shaking the excess water drops off his coat. The wound turned out to be a minor cut – it would heal with ease in a couple of days. Chuck let out a small laugh, before turning to Sarah.

'What brings you here?' He asked curiously.

She stared down at her hands on her lap, wanting to say what she was feeling but not knowing how to. She felt a stray tear roll down her cheek, landing on her hand.

He watched her, his face etched with concern and worry. He inched closer and reached out to place his right hand on top of her right hand. He gave her a reassuring squeeze.

'Talk to me Sarah.' He paused. 'What's wrong?'

Sensing sadness, the puppy waddled over and gave Sarah's leg a few licks before sitting himself down at Sarah's feet.

She placed her left hand over his hand,

'I feel like – ' She hesitated. 'Like I'm broken.' She placed her left hand over his right hand and began fumbling with his fingers out of subconscious nature. 'I don't feel satisfied anywhere...like there is as gaping hole waiting to be filled...and I was hoping - '

She felt another couple of tears make its way down her cheek. ' – hoping you could fix me.' She finished.

Words needn't be said as he closed the gap between them, wrapping her in an embrace and rubbing soothing circles on her back just the way she liked it.

'Of course Sarah.' He whispered into her ear. 'Of course.'

The first stitch was in place. It was the first step towards recovery.

A/N: Sooo...how was it? Did u like it? Drop me a review...I love reading what you guys think of my stuff :P

The song is called 'Stitch by Stitch', by Javiar Colon.