Chuck vs. Solitude
I've felt like writing a story like this for a while, but I haven't actually sat down and started it until tonight. It will be Angsty/Adventure. If there ever will be Charah, it will be a while down the road. Based off feedback, if people like this story I'll continue to do both stories.
Sort of a brief intro: Takes place before the Beta Intersect comes online during season 1, so Graham is alive. Sarah left with Bryce instead of staying; she didn't like how close she was getting to her asset and leaves. Chuck took it pretty hard and Casey and he had unsuccessful missions after. Beckman is closing in on finishing the Beta Intersect and wanting him killed. Graham sees the potential and recruits him.
I wanted a fic with more action and less fluff than my other story. There will be lots of missions with Chuck doing a lot of unChuck things. He will have gone through proper training. If you don't like reading about Chuck killing people, this won't be a fic for you. Please pay attention to years; I plan on jumping around a bit, at least in the beginning. I hope you enjoy it. I do not own Chuck.
Chapter 1 – Chuck vs. Recruitment
Belváros District - Downtown Budapest, Hungary
June 12, 2011
11:32 PM Friday
A tall, well built man greets the bellboy, speaking in perfect Hungarian with a native accent, at the entrance to the apartment complex. He had an expensive suit on with matching business shoes and watch. The bellboy, like most people, assumed he was just a businessman returning to his apartment. He did blend in well. After all, there were a number of businessmen returning from their day, even at this hour.
The man walked directly to the elevator and pushed the button for the 8th floor. As he approached his floor, he pulled out a silencer and screwed it into his M9 and chambered a round then placed it back in his waistband with the safety on.
He approached his destination and pulled out a custom lock pick kit and got to work on the door. He heard the click of the latch being released and quickly made his way inside the room before he could be noticed. He had been shadowing his target for over a week, finding his weak points and best place to lay in wait for him.
He quickly made his way to the security panel and with the help of a knife, he had the panel removed. From past experience on the specific unit, he was able to find the correct circuit to short circuit and disable the alarm before it could alert anyone to his entrance.
Leaving the lights turned off, he pulled on a pair of leather gloves from his pocket and made his way around the apartment taking it in. The apartment is a loft in downtown Budapest. A few bedrooms on a second floor with wood stairs leading up to them and a few bathrooms, a study, lounge area, modern style kitchen, and of course the living room with a few scattered closets around the house.
His target, if he kept to normal patterns provided by the CIA and by his recent recon, should be returning within a few minutes. He decided to lay in wait for him just inside the kitchen, out of immediate line of sight from the door. Around 10 minutes passed before a key was heard unlocking the door.
The man entered the apartment and tossed his keys into a bowl on a table near the entrance. After he closed the door, the agent stepped out from his hiding place as the lights turned on.
"Hello István Kovach."
The man quickly turned around and tried to pull out a gun but was shot in the arm holding the gun.
"Or would you prefer Daniel Shaw?"
"Who are you?" Shaw asked, clearly in pain from his arm and worried about the man standing before him with a smoking gun still pointed in his direction.
"Prometheus."
Shaw's eyes widened. Prometheus was responsible for the downfall of Fulcrum, the destruction throughout the Ring, and the retreat of the Formax Group.
"You really should have let the past be the past. Lucky for me, killing you just happens to be desired by the CIA. Goodbye Shaw."
Prometheus stepped forward and pulled the trigger, hitting Shaw in the forehead. Shaw fell back and slumped against the wall. Prometheus picked up the shell casing and pocketed it while heading to the door. He put his M9 back in its place and took off his gloves. Once he got back out he got into his agency-provided M3 and made a call.
"Zeus, secure."
"Prometheus, secure. Objectives complete, target is dead."
"All the security footage was looped as planned. Clean kill, nice work, return to Olympus."
Casa Bartowski-Woodcomb
January 20, 2008
3:24 AM Sunday
Chuck was awoken by the sound of his cell phone ringing. He glanced at the clock and saw it read 3:24 AM. He tried to ignore it but the caller just called back shortly after. Chuck gave in and looked at the caller id: unknown. "Hello?" Chuck asked with a yawn.
Chuck heard the deep voice of Director Graham in response, "Mr. Bartowski. Meet me at your beach in 10 minutes." Then the line went dead.
Chuck muttered as he went to grab a shirt, hoody, and pants and got dressed. I missed being able to sleep. He grabbed his watch and keys as he headed out the Morgan door.
About 10 minutes later, Chuck pulled up to the beach. When he approached his spot, he noticed a few men in suits walking around and the hulking form of the CIA Director in front of him.
"Director?" Chuck asked awkwardly as he approached Graham.
"We needed to have a discussion without the NSA hanging onto every word." Graham responded as he turned around to face Chuck. "As you are unaware, I should inform you that the Beta version of the Intersect is almost online, Chuck."
"Does that mean I can finally get back to a normal life?" Chuck asked hopefully.
"I'm afraid not, Chuck." Graham responded with an emotion that Chuck has never heard before in his voice, remorse. "The NSA and perhaps even the CIA will not allow you to walk around with the Intersect in your head. We have no way to remove the data from your brain, I'm sorry."
"Why are you telling me this then?" Chuck asked in anger. First his life gets uprooted by Bryce fucking Larkin. Then when he is finally getting his act together again after Jill, with the help from Sarah, he comes back and takes her with him. Bryce always gets the great girls. "So that is how this is going to work? I didn't get to even say goodbye to my family? My sister? What are you going to tell her? That I died in some stupid accident at 3:30 AM on a SUNDAY?"
"No. Well, if Beckman had her way that would probably be along the same lines. You and Casey have been in a downward spiral since Agent Walker left." Graham replied gruffly.
"Bunker or bullet, or is that too good for an American citizen. I got it! How about just some accident? Or is that why you had me come out here, so you could have me killed and fake my suicide at my favorite spot to come think or at least it used to be?"
Graham did the one thing that Chuck never expected to hear from him, after remorse and compassion – he laughed. It was a dry laugh, but it was a laugh nonetheless. "No Chuck, I am here to offer you a job. You've done good work for your country. It would a waste, not to mention against the ideals that we are trying to protect to just have you killed. I'll give you a cause to believe in, to get yourself over the heartbreak of when Sarah left and add meaning to your life. Admit it, the good you've done has made you feel better about your life. It has given you a purpose. I can provide that for you still."
"But as an Analyst?" Chuck asked, still angry.
"No, I think you have the potential to be much, much more than that Mr. Bartowski. This is the life that would have been yours had Bryce Larkin not interfered."
So I either become an agent or I get a bullet to the back of my head. "What will I tell Ellie? I won't just have her think I abandoned her like my mother and father did."
"As little as possible. You will inform her that you got a job working for the CIA, as an analyst in DC. You can also tell the same to Morgan and Devon."
"Thank you. I suppose that is believable enough. When do I leave?"
"I'll make arrangements. The NSA will not like this, but I will give them little choice and they won't know where you really went until you are trained. Expect to go back to Langley on my jet later today. Go through your normal work day tomorrow. Don't worry about taking anything; we'll have everything packed away in storage. You will be training for at the minimum of four to five months. Depending how well you do, I might send you off to specialized training. I am confident you will excel in training - if how you've dealt with this life so far, without training, is any indication. Not to mention your retention rates, we might be able to help you out with help from the Intersect as well."
"Like what?" Chuck's curiosity peaked.
"Languages for one. Our scientists have a theory that it might be possible to include certain things into the Intersect update we will have coming up. Weapons, martial arts, and the like you will learn through training. Cryptography, linguistics, hacking on a completely different level, and related subjects are strong possibilities in the future."
Hacking? Government sponsored hacking lessons? Awesome. "That's awesome, but I'm not sure how I will handle being able to take a life."
"It will be hard, son, but with training you will get through it. Look at it this way; you will be protecting your sister and her boyfriend, as well as, many other innocent lives."
Chuck nodded while in thought. I suppose have no choice and this would give me a purpose and direction in my life.
"We'll discuss this more on the plane to Langley, Mr. Bartowski. Your country thanks you."
Chuck recognized a dismissal and turned to leave, but not before saying "Thanks, see you this afternoon."
Graham nodded to himself, since Chuck already made his way to the nerd herder. He turned to look at the ocean to think everything through. Beckman is such an idiot. All she had to do was appeal to his patriotic and protectiveness of those he loves and he would do anything for them. The CIA will gain both control of the only human Intersect and I'll gain a new protégé, since Walker decided to throw everything in my face by leaving with Larkin against orders. Regardless she is doing too much in the war against Fulcrum for me to reprimand her for the time being.
As Graham continued his inner dialog, he had a sudden thought causing an amused grin to form. I'm sure when she finds out about what she helped turn Chuck into, that it will affect her enough to serve as her reprimand. I hope globetrotting with Larkin was worth it. She should have known after her being the only voice that made everyone else see Chuck as a human being, not just the Intersect, that something drastic would happen to him without her here. I suppose this will work out even better for the CIA.
Burbank Buy More
January 20, 2008
10:24 AM Sunday
Chuck had arrived in work an hour and a half ago and was currently working through invoices and other paper work. At least he was making it look like that was the case, instead he was thinking over his conversation with Graham last night. I always thought he was more of a hard ass out of the two directors. Maybe he really does see my potential of being meant to do more with my life. I would have been in the CIA, maybe even Sarah's partner if he hadn't kicked me out from Stanford. Of course he is getting both a possible agent and the human Intersect under the control of the CIA. Both of course mean possibly more funding for the CIA and more prestige for himself, fucking politics. Chuck sighed thinking about Sarah again. I need to forget her, like she has probably already forgotten me. Why did it have to be Bryce fucking Larkin? He sighed loudly, bringing Casey over.
"What now Numbnuts? Still moping around about Walker?" Casey asked, enjoying his daily twisting the knife in about Sarah leaving.
"No." Chuck says, almost convincing himself but it manages to satisfy Casey, for the moment. Chuck looks away from Casey and notices the pita girl, Lizzie shamelessly flirting with Jeff and Lester, he was about to look away when he noticed Lizzie pull a small object out of her shorts and place it under the camera table. "…Casey we have a problem."
"What?" Casey asked with a grunt.
"Lizzie, the pita girl, just placed what was most likely a bug under the camera display." Chuck said, slightly in freak out mode.
Casey turned to look as Lizzie started to strut out of the store after completely shutting Lester down. "I'll follow her, go see if that is a bug or just a piece of gum. Text me with which one it is. Don't alert anyone else that is what you are doing, got it?" Casey managed to say before quickly turning and jogging towards the entrance of the Buy More.
Chuck did as he was told and grabbed a few boxes from under the Nerd Herd counter. He walked over to the display case and looked around discretely. He bent down and felt for the object, as he thought it was a GLG-20. He quickly texted Casey.
Chuck went back to his desk and sat down waiting impatiently to hear from Casey. After a few minutes, Casey called him back.
He answered to Casey's gruff voice. "Meet me at my apartment asap."
"On my way out." Chuck replied as he grabbed his keys and jogged out to the herder. Chuck arrived back at Casey's apartment and knocked. Casey answered shortly after and waved him in quickly, apparently he was in the middle of a meeting with Beckman and Graham.
"We are lucky the asset noticed Lizzie when he did." Beckman said, not too happy about encouraging Chuck in the slightest.
"It would seem relocation couldn't come at a better time. We were able to contain the problem before Lizzie could contact her superiors. Once we relocate Bartowski, the heat should die down around the LA area and take the focus off the Buy More."
"Sir? What relocation? Why wasn't I told?" Casey demanded angrily.
"It would seem that Graham got authorization to bring Mr. Bartowski in for proper training as an Agent for the CIA. While I am not happy…"
"The CIA gave up control of the Beta Intersect to the NSA in exchange for Mr. Bartowski." Graham interrupted smugly.
Chuck's eyes widened at the news, knowing how much the two agencies play politics. He was surprised Graham either had such faith in him or little faith in the Beta Intersect.
Thank the St. Reagan that I won't have to terminate Bartowski now. Casey let out an approving grunt, not about the Beta Intersect, but in thanks for not having to terminate an American citizen.
"We will take care of your leaving the Buy More, Chuck. Just say your goodbyes and be ready to take off from Bob Hope Airport via CIA jet within two hours." Graham said before disconnecting.
Beckman reached for the button to terminate the connection on her end, but decided to hold off. "If it's any consolation, I am happy with how things turned out for you. I never wanted to send you to a bunker or…"
"Terminate, yeah I get it. Thanks General. I'm sure I'll be a pain in your ass again eventually." Chuck couldn't resist one last quip for old times' sake.
Beckman let out a rare smile and responded, "Nothing would surprise me anymore."
When Beckman terminated, Casey turned to face Chuck. "We did good work here Bartowski, you should be proud of yourself. I'm sure we will meet again, until then, be safe."
Chuck reached out to shake his hand and Casey accepted.
"Thanks for saving me, at least once a week. Goodbye John. If you ever need to get in contact with me, leave a message with my sister or Devon."
Casey grunted in approval as Chuck left the apartment.
Burbank Buy More
January 20, 2008
12:01 PM Sunday
"I still can't believe you are leaving little brother." Ellie said with a few tears making their way down her cheek.
"I'm sorry it is so sudden, I applied a while ago and didn't expect to be accepted. I didn't even think it was in the realm of possibilities so I didn't bother getting your hopes up."
"But on the east coast…so far away…" Ellie added with tears freely flowing.
"I know, sis." Chuck said sadly.
"Call me when you get your new contact information."
"I will. Look part of the job…I won't be able to answer my phone when I am working. Just the way the rules work. I'll get back to you when I can, but it won't be too often I am afraid."
"Okay, it will be hard, but I understand. I'm proud of you. Aces Charles, you're Aces." Ellie said while crushing Chuck in a MamaEllie hug.
"You're gonna be a spy, Chuckster! AWESOME!" Devon boomed from behind the siblings.
"Just an analyst, Devon."
"Bartowski. Charrrrles Bartowski. Saving the world one piece of intel at a time. Has a nice ring to it, Chuckster."
Chuck laughed, realizing how much he would miss his, hopefully soon to be bro-in-law. His sister hasn't lived without him before. Even during her residency and going through college, she was always close enough to be considered having him around.
"I'll miss you both. I'm sorry I have to get going."
"Did you talk to Morgan yet?" Ellie asked, hopeful that she could dodge having to talk to him about it.
"Yeah, little buddy didn't take it too well." Chuck sighed audibly.
"Come on, Chuck, I'll take you to the airport. I have time before I have to sign in at work." Devon said hopeful, he had to talk to Chuck in private before he left for god knows how long.
"Okay, bye sis." Chuck hugged her again and headed out with a smaller suitcase with some clothes and a picture of Sarah, Ellie, Devon, Morgan, and him laughing and joking while playing a game on date night.
-X-
Devon pulled up to the terminal, freaking out the whole drive to the airport. "Listen Chuck…there is something important I wanted to ask you..."
"What is it Devon?" Chuck asked curiously, he's never seen Devon so nervous before. He's not quite sure what to make of it.
"Since your dad left and you are the only man in Ellie's family, I wanted to ask you if it was alright for me to propose to her."
"Yes! Of course it is alright. I would be honored to make calling you 'bro' official. You're already part of the family. I want to be there, but from what my boss was saying, I might not be able to get back out to Burbank until July at the very least. I'll know better in about 4 months. I would like to be there, but I understand if you can't wait for me."
"Thanks Chuck, I'll take care of her. I know we will both want you there."
"I know you will take care of her, see ya around Devon."
"Good luck in DC, Chuck."
If you are left confused by some things, which are for the most part intentional on my part - read on. Things will become more clear and answered. Have no fear, Sarah will return. Charah lovers, you'll be waiting a long time.
R&R