A/N: So, like some others, I've come up with a story idea arising from the most recent episode, "Chuck vs. the Fake Name". I'm making it a one-shot, but if enough people want me to continue, then I think I could turn it into a longer story. Either way, I hope that you'll like this story!
Usual disclaimer: Chuck – NBC property.
Chuck and Sam vs. a Mission of Hope
"Chuck, I don't want to save the world!"
Those words echoed in his mind as he walked forlornly across the streets of Burbank. The nighttime sky and air could not hinder him from such an aimless wandering. He certainly could not have felt any worse than if he had lost the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NBA Finals all combined.
He originally tried to go home and forget about all the troubles that had befallen him. As he made his way to the familiar courtyard, he could hear a most familiar voice.
"Hey, Chuck!" It was Devon.
"Hey, Devon" Chuck replied with no real enthusiasm.
"Listen, bro. I know that you've got so much on your mind lately. And I know that you're not quite acting like yourself because you're trying to protect us all. Believe me, I get it, bro. National security is a big deal."
"Devon, I really owe you an apology. I mean, I was the one who brought you into the spy world in the first place. Yes, you're handling it fine, but it doesn't mean that you should have to handle it. I really thought that becoming a spy would mean doing something for the greater good. That it might actually serve to help you, Ellie, and everyone else I love. Instead, I feel like I've lost myself. I don't know who I am anymore!"
"Bro, it's OK! I support you no matter what. Because I know that you have all of our best interests at heart. That's why you're the best!"
"You're not too bad yourself, Awesome!" With that, they exchanged a hug of true brotherly appreciation.
"Just go out and keep saving the world!" Devon said with a smile. At that, Chuck could only meekly smile at the comment.
He didn't even get to open the door to his abode. Instead, he turned to gaze out at the courtyard and couldn't help but remember a somewhat more happy time just a few months earlier. It was Ellie and Devon's post-wedding party. He still remembered seeing, talking, and dancing . . . with her. Yes, Sam (or Sarah or Jenny) simply sparkled that night, and she was the one who asked him for the dance. It was during that dance that she had even told him, "Chuck, I don't want to save the world!"
"Chuck, I don't want to save the world!"
Those words had stayed in his mind for a long while after he'd turned from the house. He had found his way to the beach. He even managed to find the spot that he always turned to whenever he needed the privacy. He remembered being there with her on more than one occasion. He let out the slightest of laughs at the notion that getting the Intersect in his head was the worst day of his life. Somehow, looking back at that day, he almost envied that fellow who had just begun to learn about the slippery world known as the spy game. Now, he couldn't help but think that his transformation was not unlike one very familiar sci-fi character.
"I've turned into someone only Anakin Skywalker could love!" Chuck mused morosely. The scary part was that he actually meant this! Then, he thought about the proceedings just a few hours before.
He had originally planned to have dinner with Hannah and her parents. It seemed that Hannah was so genuinely touched by being invited to a dinner (albeit not so good one) at the Bartowskis' that she wanted to return the favor. It should have been a really great moment for them both. Instead, the night turned sour as he tried to be honest with her . . . in breaking up with her. He could still hear the words as if they'd just been uttered.
"No! You're not a nice guy! I hope that your lies keep you warm at night!"
"No! You're not a nice guy! I hope that your lies keep you warm at night!"
"No! You're not a nice guy! I hope that your lies keep you warm at night!"
Those words cut to his heart deeper than any scalpel ever could. How clairvoyant Hannah turned out to be. Soon, the water in his eyes began to form and within moments started to drop like Victoria Falls. No handkerchief on this planet would be enough to wipe the tears that were coming out. He slowly made his way from the beach as forlorn as a man could be whose heart had shattered like a broken Chinese vase.
He didn't care where he was going. Why? He'd lost everything. Within minutes, his mind soon turned to finding the nearest bar. He'd order tequila. He'd ask for shot . . . after shot . . . after shot . . . after shot. "No better way to end all of this!" he thought.
His salivary glands were crackling like Pavlov's dogs when he happened to spot in the distance a very inviting edifice. The height and width of the building were not particularly impressive, but the clean look of it certainly radiated warmth. As he squinted to make out the words at the top of the building, he could eventually read the following: "New River of Life Church". At first, he laughed at the building with some scorn. However, he found himself unable to turn away. It was as though an invisible magnet was drawing him ever closer. Soon, he made his way to the front door. It was wide open.
"Hello?" he asked. No response. So, he made his way inside. It was empty which was not surprising given that it was a very late Wednesday night.
Chuck grew wide eyed at what he saw. He couldn't help but marvel at the seemingly impeccable look of this place. The benches shone with an unspeakable sparkle. The chiaroscuro, multi-paned stained glass windows radiated a plethora of colored light. Even the pulpit shone with the slightest hint of an aura. He stood as still as a statue for a few minutes. Then, he sensed that he, of all people, had no business being inside of a church. He was about to turn back to the door when he was interrupted by a strange voice.
"Hello, sir. Did you need something?" Chuck turned and noted a man, in his early 40s, clean-shaven, brown hair, and a slight gait. He asked his question in such a calm, friendly manner than Chuck began to feel a heavy sense of guilt.
"I didn't know anyone else was here. I'm so, so sorry. I'll just see myself out!" Chuck said hurriedly.
"It's OK, sir. You're more than welcome to stay here as long as you need. Besides, I sense that you could use some company."
"I really don't belong in a place like this. I really should go!" Chuck responded.
"Well, sir. You're certainly welcome to leave, but again, I'm feeling like you really could use someone to talk with. Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Larry Weiss. I'm the pastor here at New River of Life. And you are?"
"Chuck. Chuck Bartowski."
"It's really a pleasure to meet you, Chuck. So, what's a young man like you walking around the streets at this hour?"
"I . . . I don't even know where to begin. I guess I can sum it up by saying that I just don't feel like myself anymore".
"Well, I think that we all have days when we don't feel like ourselves." Larry offered.
"I don't think you quite understand my situation." Chuck replied.
"Try me."
"I . . . I can't. I just can't!" Chuck exclaimed.
"Chuck, listen. I'm not sure what's going on in your life. But, I promise you that whatever it is, you can tell me. I promise you my full confidence. It will go no further than these very walls. I'm not here to judge, just to listen. So, Chuck, you can tell me whatever is bothering you. From the beginning". He invited Chuck to sit down on one of the shiny benches.
Chuck let out the deepest of sighs. "OK. Here goes". With that, he proceeded to tell Larry about his life of the last 3 years, starting with getting the Intersect and ending with the break-up with Hannah. Indeed, true to his word, Larry listened intently and never interrupted Chuck once. The closest Larry came to displaying emotion was in the form of a couple of raised eyebrows. Otherwise, he calmly took in every word that Chuck had to utter.
"Well, that's quite a life story, Chuck! I would never have guessed all this could happen to anyone, let alone someone like you!"
"Listen. I must really sound like a burden to you now. You probably want to head home instead of listening to a sob story like me."
"Chuck, I'm here to take care of some business in the church. And no, you're not a burden at all. I'm glad you came to me when you did. It's no coincidence!"
"Coincidence or not, I'm just not sure there's any hope for someone like me!"
"Of course, there's hope. Look, Chuck, I'm not going to break out into a sermon on you. I'm not even sure if you're part of a church already."
"My sister and I used to go a lot when we were kids. But, that was so long ago."
"Regardless, there's always hope. As the saying goes, when you're looking to solve a problem, start on your knees. You won't go wrong, I promise!"
"Thanks, Larry. I really appreciate someone listening to me. I've just felt like I couldn't talk to anyone, not even my family. But, I am feeling a lot better. I'm just not sure how to pick the pieces up again."
"Start on your knees, Chuck. That's a good beginning."
"Start on my knees, huh? Well, I guess it couldn't hurt. I mean, miracles happen every day, right?"
"They sure do, Chuck!" The voice was all too familiar. It was unmistakable. But, it couldn't be! No, it just couldn't be! It was . . . her voice. The voice that still made his heart palpitate as if it would rush out of his chest. That same voice that could reassure him that he could handle himself even in the direst of situations. The voice that uttered those unforgettable words:
"Chuck, I don't want to save the world!"
He turned and saw Sam standing just inside the doorway. Apparently, Chuck wasn't the only one who felt like doing some late night walking.
"Sam? What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"Are you serious? Have you forgotten what I do for a living?" Sam asked with a hint of a smirk.
"Right! I lost my head. Larry, I'd like you to meet Sam. Sam, this is Larry, the pastor here at this church."
"So, you're the famous Sam slash Sarah slash Jenny that Chuck just told me about." Larry said as he shook Sam's hand. "I was almost expecting a Komodo dragon with the descriptions he gave!"
"Yeah, Chuck certainly can tell a tall tale, can't he?" Sam mused. "Larry, can I have a moment with Chuck, please?"
"Of course. Stay as long as you'd like. For the record, I hope that the two of you can establish a better appreciation and kinship with each other. I'll be in my office if you need anything!" With that, Larry left to a corner of the building.
Soon, Chuck and Sam were alone. Again. It seemed that they'd done this routine far more times than either could count on their fingers. For a while, neither seemed willing to make a move.
"I guess I'll go first." Chuck offered.
"No, Chuck, let me." Sam responded.
"Chuck, I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you about my real name earlier. I'm also sorry that I told Shaw before I could even tell you. I guess somehow it never felt like the right time to tell you. I'm not even sure what I was thinking."
"For the record, I like Sam a lot!" Chuck said with his signature goofy grin.
She could only slightly smile in return. "Actually, I almost did tell you once before, you know?"
"When?" Chuck asked incredulously.
"Remember after we went to my high school reunion? And you wanted to know one real thing about my past? And then you said"
"That I didn't need to know anything more about your past! I remember" Chuck reminisced.
"Well, I was really going to tell you my real name then. I'm being completely honest, Chuck. Again, I'm so sorry that you had to find out this way. Can you even begin to forgive me?"
"Come here" Chuck started to open his arms straight out in front of him, inviting Sam to be enveloped by his warmth. She complied, and soon they embraced as warmly as any loving couple could. Soon, though, Chuck sensed something still was amiss. He slowly but noticeably pulled away from Sam and turned once again to face her.
"Sam, what's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Don't give me nothing! Have you forgotten that I've become a spy too? Don't you think that I can sense when something's not right, especially when it comes to you?" Chuck asked a little more pointedly than even he expected.
Sam could only shake her head slightly at the words. Still, in her newfound spirit of honesty, she obliged him. "Chuck, I'm scared. I'm really scared!"
"Scared of what?" Chuck asked.
"Of you becoming this full-blown spy. It's not you. It's just not you. I almost don't even know who you've turned into. Who are you really, Chuck Bartowski?"
"Sam, why are you asking me this? Why is this bothering you so much now?"
"You really want me to say it, don't you? Fine! You want to know why I'm being this way, Chuck. Because I love you! That's right; I love you, Chuck Bartowski. I've loved you for the longest time and I've just been too afraid to say it!"
"And when I say I love you, I mean the you that would never dream of lying to people, especially to Ellie and your family and friends. The you that loathed holding a gun let alone using one. The you that doesn't believe in killing people. After I saw how you handled Manush, my heart began to break. And instead of slowing down, you've only kept becoming more unlike yourself. I'm not sure how much more I can take of this, Chuck. "And then, in a truly ironic moment, she let out the slightest of smiles and said, "Chuck, please promise me that I won't become another Padme Amidala"
Chuck was almost floored in admiration of the reference. "Don't worry, Sam. I'm really not planning on becoming Anakin Skywalker! I think we both know how that tale turned out! So, that's what's been bothering you? Why couldn't you tell me before? I mean, if I'd known, then I could've tried to tone things down a little. Of course, that might make me less effective on missions. This may be a good thing since I'm still learning how to use Intersect 2.0. Or maybe not. I'm thinking that"
"Chuck, were you ever planning on kissing me anytime soon? Before we're both old?" Sam teased him.
"I thought you'd never ask!"
Then, Chuck and Sam exchanged a kiss that could've melted the entire church around them. This was the kiss that Sam had originally expected in Prague. Time and place meant nothing at this moment. Their unity meant everything at this moment. Once their kiss concluded, they held on to each other like koalas on eucalyptus trees.
"So, is there anything else you feel like telling me, Sam-Sarah-Jenny?"
"Actually, there is. I was going to tell you this back in Prague"
"There are quite a few things that we meant to tell each other in Prague" Chuck offered with a smile.
"Don't get cute! Anyway, back in Prague, I was going to tell you when we boarded the train. I wanted us to go to Peru."
"Peru! Sam, that's in South America! Why Peru?"
"Chuck, do you remember just after you first got the Intersect? And you flashed on my file when you saw me in the Buy More? Do you recall a mission I went on in Peru?"
"Yeah"
"Well, the mission itself went according to plan. What I didn't expect was to see so many orphans in the streets. Chuck, you should have seen them. Their eyes were like glass. They had so very little – no parents, no food, no clean water. So, even though we'd successfully completed the mission, I felt emptiness in my heart. I didn't know how, but I always promised myself that I would try and find a way to help them. They deserved to have better lives. But, this is just crazy talk, isn't it? I'm just living a fool's dream"
Chuck took in these words in utter surprise. Finally, he spoke. "Sam, I wish you had told me all this back in Prague. Now, I'm really a fool for having said no to you then. I love the idea. Yeah, we should definitely do this."
"But, what about your family? What about your life here, Chuck?"
"Well, it's true that I would miss Ellie and Awesome. But, I know that they'd be thrilled about the idea of me doing this. Especially with you. As far as my life here, I highly doubt that my lifetime career at the Buy More can ever hold a candle to making some other lives a little brighter. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced we should be doing this. Don't worry, Sam. We'll find a way. We always do!"
"I love you, Chuck. I love you so much!" Sam exclaimed
"I believe you mentioned that before" Chuck grinned. They exchanged another passionate kiss.
"Let's go home!" Sam offered. Soon, they walked out of the church holding hands and full of life at the possibility of their future. Needless to say, they liked what they saw.
So, it turned out that Sam (with Chuck's help) did want to save the world after all – one child at a time.
"AMEN!" Larry thought to himself with a smile.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this story. So, what do you, the loyal fanfic reader, think? Leave this as a one-shot? Or expand it further? Reviews are always appreciated!