A/N: Thanks to those that have emailed me wanting to know about updating my ongoing stories. Some not so good news, my flash drive that contained all of my stories and notes was taken. I'm not quite ready to start retyping just yet. Here's an attempt at a short story changing Chuck and Sarah's initial encounter, but combining with some aspects from a classic movie.
Chuck vs. Graham the Killer Pimp
Agent Walker sat quietly, reabsorbing the maelstrom her life had become over the past week; starting with literally rifling through a den of thugs to retrieve a package. That package turning out to be a baby girl which brought her closer together with her estranged mother before forever tearing them apart in order to keep the two of them safe. Also in the process learning the person placed in charge of her had been manipulating the missions to desensitize her enough that she would fall in line with his plan or not expect the bullet he'd place in the back of her skull. Then, following the debriefing Graham informs her that her ex-partner, Bryce Larkin, has gone rogue and within a week will attempt to steal something called the Intersect. Apparently all her security clearance allows is that this Intersect is the attempt at all the intelligence agencies to combine everything they have in order to combat terrorists, both foreign and domestic.
Apparently Larkin was to initially attempt to be a double agent working his way through Fulcrum. However he had missed his last three rendezvous and ignored a number of drops. When they went to his apartment it had been completely cleaned out with only the noxious smell of bleach left in the place. His last action within the CIA had been to peruse the file of the person Sarah was now assigned to shadow and engage with the next day.
She was still contemplating how her current assignment could not be viewed as a punishment. The NSA was placed in charge of stopping Larkin from taking the program. Their insolent attitude towards her even being 'included' on this mission aggravated her to the point she put a hundred on Larkin getting the Intersect and making it out of the building. Considering she got one hundred to one odds on it she was, of course, hoping he would be stopped before getting away, but the possibility of showing those pigs up, especially that oaf, John Casey, who had given her the parameters of her assignment with the most condescending grin she'd ever seen followed by a grunt of annoyance. Granted she did not believe it at first, but when it was confirmed by Graham she knew she was being punished.
"Chuck, I swear Awesome took Ellie to Napa for the weekend and they are not coming back for a surprise party." Morgan said a little too happily.
"Ok," Chuck said warily, "What do you have planned then?"
Morgan gave a look of shock, "My dear Chuck, how long have you known me and you still can ask that?" Chuck poorly attempted his sister's glare which caused Morgan to look confused until the joviality of his plan got the better of him for a moment, "Chuck, there is no party. Like you wanted; however, a number of people chipped in to get you a present… So, you will get no more out of me and I will see you bright and early at the Buy More tomorrow." Morgan got off the chair and made his way to the Morgan door.
"Morgan, your shift starts at one and officially it would be today as it is past midnight."
"Aarrgh; gotta go Chuck, it will be cutting it close to get in at least my nine hours." Morgan quickly exited without closing the window and Chuck could hear Morgan wheeze as he pedaled away.
Chuck made a motion to get up and close the window, but the incoming breeze felt nice, until his mind focused on the present that a number of people chipped in on. A sense of foreboding made Chuck's slumber anything but peaceful.
Sarah lay awake in the bed that was far too soft for her liking. She turned her head hoping a decent amount of time had passed. The digital display read 4:02; the knife almost mystically appeared in her hand and was ready to strike, but she stopped, set the alarm on her phone for 6:45 before letting the knife fly.
At around 5:30 she realized sleep was something she would not be getting; shuffling through her planned schedule she should have plenty of time for a power nap after initially engaging her mark, one Charles Irving Bartowski. Deciding she had procrastinated enough she got off the bed and walked to the dresser, pulling out the drawer she added a false bottom to and took out the files regarding her assignment.
After quickly scanning the file on Bartowski, she chided herself on not looking at it earlier. The name had sounded vaguely familiar and from seeing he was Larkin's college roommate that her ex partner had expelled the stories began to come back. Whenever Bryce fell victim to one too many appletini's and she hadn't drunk enough to join him in bed he'd reflect back on his past and his stories almost always came back to this Chuck. The first year of their partnership guilt was the prevalent emotion attached to them, but the second year it had changed to where Bryce seemed to think this person deserved what happened to him. Her initial thought was it was doubtful this person would conspire with Bryce; it had to be a red herring.
Leaving a message on Graham's secure line, she stated her doubts about Bartowski's willing cooperation with Larkin adding she would observe, but not engage with Bartowski before meeting with him tonight and that the rest of the mission she would be operating from the vacant apartment in the same complex he lived in. The surveillance bugs would be planted before she would go to his workplace. The only thing left to do after finishing the call was to figure out what exactly a 'girlfriend experience' entailed.
"Morgan you need to tell me what the surprise is."
"Ah, well Chuck I guess I can understand the thrill of having the perfect present waiting for you, but seriously I was going to tell you after you finished your shift, so you can prepare."
"Prepare?'
"Chuck, I'll be at the Buy More in half an hour, what has you so worked up?"
"Jeff and Lester have been staring at me more than usual and every so often a giggle comes from their direction. So do they know?"
"Yes… sorry, I needed their help in locating your gift. Big Mike knows as well, so you will be getting out on time today. No overtime in the cage tonight. Chuck relax, you are going to love your gift."
Sarah entered into the store confirming on her phone what exactly her target did; on the off chance she needed to engage. Her initial cursory inspection had her a little apprehensive, especially if she was going to be in the store for more than fifteen minutes. She was off by about fourteen. Deciding to start by browsing through the dvd's she heard four footsteps approaching her and slowly turned around to the sight of a slight Indian whom she was seventy percent certain was male. Right behind him was a larger Caucasian whom was intoxicated on some substance, or, more likely, quite a few.
"I see you're looking through the horror films, may I offer the services of my friend and myself to protect such a lovely flower while watching the macabre tale of your choice." Sarah was now eighty percent sure the person stating this was male, but the person's suggestion visualized in her head caused a shudder.
"But Lester, I thought Big Mike refused to let you order those pocket rockets or rabbit thing you needed in order to take a woman out?" The larger man slurred out only stopping when his eyes focused on Sarah's chest.
"No, Jeff; that was to satisfy… she also said once she gets out of prison she'd rather go on a date with those objects than me. However if I bought her both of them she said that I could possibly watch…"
Sarah's mouth was agape, forming almost a perfect 'O'; her mind racing to find a situation where she felt as uncomfortable and a glimpse of Jenny Burton flashed before her. A warm feeling on her shoulder and a soft, 'Miss?' brought her back to Burbank. Turning she found that her nerd in shining armor 'rescuing' her just happened to be the person she was there to observe.
Staring into his eyes she could see softness and caring laced within them as Sarah struggled to speak, "Uh… Thanks, sorry; I guess I zoned out for a moment there… My name is Sarah." She finished while extending her hand.
She felt that same warmth now on her hand as the person grabbed her hand in a firm, albeit somewhat moist grip, "My name is Chuck and don't worry I'm sure your mind was simply protecting itself from having to listen to their inane ramblings. Are you sure you are alright? I do have an 800 number in case you feel like you need to talk to somebody about this."
The giggle came out far too easily and both engaged in some banter that neither would remember what was said. The more important thing was the instant connection both felt as for a few minutes the rest of the world faded away as they became lost in the other's eyes.
Sarah sat in the practically empty apartment staring at the monitor, but paying more attention to the butterflies in her stomach than Chuck reading a comic book. She looked back to the closet where her three potential outfits were lying on the bed; wondering why she was nervous since she now wanted to go on this 'date' with Chuck. That was when it all clicked. If this was just doing her bit for country it would be simple to remain detached, but after exiting the shower she would have described herself as giddy while preparing for this evening and for the life of her she could not recall having that feeling at any other time.
Unbeknownst to her a frown appeared on her face as she was convincing herself to bring up her professional façade and also choose her outfit. Before she understood the parameters within the girlfriend experience she had brought a tight, tiny red number with black knee high boots. While it wouldn't work as a girlfriend, after the earlier encounter she found herself wanting to see Chuck's reaction to it. This brought a large smile to her face that she noticed while closing her eyes wondering how this person she met for only a few minutes had already found some soft spots in the walls protecting her heart.
After shaking her head and taking a deep breath she looked at her other two choices and although she liked the dress it seemed a little too fancy and she didn't want to intimidate him; figuring his salary from the Buy More would preclude him from going to five star restaurants, it was simply too much. This brought her to the surprising third option: a simple pastel blue sweater that had been at the bottom of her bag for so long she had completely forgotten about it. Zondra's gift from the lone Cat squad Christmas party
Zondra had gotten both Carina and Amy a gross (144, not adjective) box of condoms. At their protestations she merely replied getting the same for Sarah wouldn't make sense because it would be at least a two lifetime supply for her and after a short period the two of them would be sneaking into her bathroom to procure whatever amount they needed. The mere thought of Zondra took her out of her current doldrums as she relived the pain of discovering the tracker in her boot to only having her accuse Sarah of planting it which devastated her and ruined one of the only friendships she had ever had.
The melancholy of the moment subsided as she looked back to the monitor and saw Chuck had put on some type of mask that was all black, had some type of helmet and some triangular thing where a mouth would be…
"Morgan, I can't go through with this... I know what you're going to say, but I won't be able to look Ellie in the eye after going out with a prostitute."
"Chuck, what makes you so sure she doesn't know?"
"Wha…?"
"Chuck, you can't think us Buymorians have enough disposable income to set this up. I broached the subject with Awesome as he came in to browse through the washers and dryers. He helped me in shaping what we should get for you that would satisfy everybody… Tee hee hee. I made a presentation folder for Ellie: Chuck's Opportunity to Cuddle and Kiss. She wasn't thrilled with the acronym, but I think the bar graphs in the PowerPoint turned it around and she was soon on board. She did set up a reservation at that Mexican place you three went to on her birthday and said she was going to have what she wanted you to wear on a hanger in your closet.'
Chuck was dumbfounded with this revelation and ripped off the Darth Vadar mask, "Really? That takes a lot of stress off, but… ok… so this is just a date? What about any extra, uhh activities?"
"What I understand is that how the date finishes is up to the both of you. There is no pre-date expectations; sorry, but I don't know what she looks like. We were only told she is somebody that Chuck will like; somebody that any heterosexual man would like. Although she couldn't possibly be as hot as the blonde you were bewitched by. I know we are DC through and through, but if there's ever a Ms. Marvel movie made she has to play it."
"Morgan, stop… well I can't disagree, but to remain true to our allegiance let's say Black Canary or maybe Supergirl. Aargh, now I definitely can't go I'll be thinking of her the entire time." Chuck groaned.
"Chuck, actually this is better. You can treat this like a practice date…I thought you said she didn't even leave you her phone number though."
"She didn't. When she left I said 'I hope to see you again' she responded that she would make sure of it… or something like that… are you sure we talked for almost forty-five minutes; it seemed so much shorter."
"It might have been longer. At one point the entire store looked at the two of you and uttered a collective 'Awe'. Ok, time to refocus. Your date is going to pick you up in less than ninety minutes. You are gonna have a great time. Call me when it's done."
"Yes Morgan. Although I still have a number of trepidations and there are so many things that can go wrong. Thanks for doing this. I guess I haven't gotten over…"
"No! You will not mention that four letter word today… except if you can work it in to a funny anecdote. I think that was in the notes Ellie left me, but I left it at home. Chuck I've gotta go, Big Mike woke up from his donut stupor and Tang had the wrong peppers put on his Subway Cold Cut Combo. So he actually wants work to be done. Bye."
Five minutes before his 'date' was to show Chuck started to panic; causing a glandular sweat outbreak forcing him to ditch the t-shirt Ellie had picked and replaced it with a similar colored one. He had just finished gargling for the third time when he heard a knock on the door. He was dumbstruck when he opened the door. Sarah was initially pleased with his response, but quickly became concerned as she let herself in and closed the front door without any movement from Chuck. Eventually curiosity got the better of her so she decided a quick kiss would either snap him out of it or put him in a coma.
Thankfully Chuck was pliable enough that Sarah brought him down the four to five inches to bring their lips together. The kiss was soft and short, far too short for part of Sarah's mind as a fleeting thought of buying some higher heeled shoes would be necessary. That thought ended with Chuck coming back to life, on hyperdrive.
"OhmygodSarah. Whatareyoudoinghere? NotthatI'mnothappytoseeyou. Iamandhonestlyyoulookbeautiful. Ihaveapriorengagement. Icouldcancel, especiallywithyouherenow ImeanitisonlyablinddateandIthinkI'd muchrathergettoknowyoubetter. Didyoukissme?"
At this point Sarah was dumbstruck attempting to parse out what language Chuck had just spoken. Holding up one finger to Chuck as it looked like he was about to spurt forth another diatribe of gibberish she began to break down what he had said. She felt her ears slightly burn at his comment of her being beautiful. Looking at his eyes she could tell he wasn't leering or ogling her it was appreciative. An instinctive frown came upon her face as her assignment and particular role would undoubtedly dampen this look and felt really conflicted about it.
"I did kiss you Chuck." Sarah was surprised that she could only shyly look over as Chuck blushed, "And I do know about your engagement this evening because… I am it." She ended using some generic game show host voice trying to emphasize herself as the grand prize.
Chuck's reaction came in layers. First he was quite happy to be spending more time with Sarah. Shock soon followed as the realization of Sarah's occupation came full bore. It ended with confusion; initially with why Sarah would meet him earlier and then with trying to determine what he is feeling about this.
While Chuck's brow furrowed, Sarah could tell he was somebody who needed to think about things, even over think them if that was a possibility. In the spy world actions and reactions happened almost subconsciously, otherwise you would be captured or dead. However this wasn't completely in the spy world so allowances were made, "Chuck, I know it is awkward for both of us right now and we probably should talk over some things before we go out. You wouldn't happen to have beer would you?"
The work Ellie did to ingrain gentlemanly instincts into Chuck struck first as he quickly abided by his date's request, soon returning with two bottles already opened. Sarah took the one offered to her and quickly took a long draw off it. Glancing over she could see Chuck was back into that confused state. A second draw brought his brow to furrow which caused Sarah to blurt out, "Oh, God you must think I'm an alcoholic as well."
Chuck's laugh burst out and for an unknown reason to her Sarah felt better hearing it, "I'm sorry; I haven't done even a mediocre job of making you feel at all welcome. We have about twenty minutes before we have to leave and it only takes about fifteen minutes to get there. I was informed you were driving, so I hope it is okay if I cut you off after this one and I do not think you are an alcoholic… but I am willing to be flexible depending on what happens."
Sarah gave an exaggerated pout to Chuck's grin; the comfortable silence giving her time to finalize why they met earlier, "Chuck there is a reason why I went to the Buy More this morning…"
Chuck interrupted gesturing with his hands causing some of the untouched beer in his hand to spill over the top, "You were checking me out… no not like that. You wanted to make sure I was somebody… decent?"
Sarah managed to keep her smile soft, "You are right; it's not as if I get a resume or something. But to be perfectly honest; after meeting you I have been looking forward to tonight." She added earnestly feeling she needed to add some truth as the possibility of Chuck simply sending her away made its way to the forefront of her mind.
Her last sentence brought Chuck completely out of his introspection and brought to Sarah's attention the largest smile she had ever seen and in response her smile grew as well.
"I need to tell you something as well. One of my friends who helped set this up said that I could use this as a practice date for you… I guess… I guess it is kind of ironic." Chuck remembered the beer in his hand and took a healthy swig, a little surprised at the amount of head from his earlier gesture.
They managed some small talk as they finished their respective drinks; falling back into the comfortable rhythm they found at the Buy More. Fairly soon both were lost in the others smile or eyes until Chuck glanced at his watch and seeing they were already five minutes past their reservation. They finished their beer and headed out with Chuck taking Sarah's hand as they walked through the courtyard to her car. Once they got there Chuck's mouth dropped as Sarah insisted she could probably get there in ten minutes at the most.
Chuck quickly overcame the surprise of Sarah's vehicle and fit into the passenger seat looking over the car with an admiration seemingly inbred into the DNA of males. As he made his way back to the smirking face of his date he could only comprehend that somehow she even looked more attractive, if that was possible. Her responding smile hinted of danger and Chuck wondered exactly what would eventually transpire this night.
He began to ask a question about how she got her car; when she beamed back at him and simply uttered, "Porsche, there is no substitute!"
A/N: For those waiting on my two other stories, I cannot apologize enough. I do plan on getting back to them despite the setback mentioned above I just needed to work my way back to that mindset and this along with another person who quickly went through my catalog and others sending PM's showing their concern is helping me to get there. I hope the line helps in showing the breaks of time; as always let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.