Don't own Chuck
Previous Chuck stories and order: 1 Chuck vs Charles, 2 Chuck vs the Love Boat, 3 Chuck vs The Rock, 4 Chuck vs Amtrak, 5 Chuck vs The Dictator, 6 Chuck vs The Name, 7 Chuck vs The Volcano, 8 Chuck vs The Ghost, 9 Chuck vs The Shooter, 10 Chuck vs The Package, 11 Chuck vs The Jade Dragon, 12 Chuck vs Jai-Alai, 12 Chuck vs The Greek, 13 Chuck vs The Suitcase
Chuck woke up like he had for the last three months to nothing. Night had fallen on his world, the only time he could see was in his dream and for the last three months he had the same dream or the same nightmare. He relived it night after night. He saw himself standing over the suitcase as this other him debated with Sarah as to how it should be opened. Then there was Morgan noticing what he thought was an old piece of paper stuck to the bottom. He tried to scream out to himself to stop Morgan but Morgan pulled it. Then everything went to hell. His perception suddenly shifted now he was in the hole. He grabbed Morgan and threw him on top of Sarah knocking them both to the ground then he saw the content and began to flash. He felt warmth all over his face then there was a bright light, brighter than the sun. This was the last thing he saw that was three months ago and last night.
"Come on and get up," said Sarah as she reached over and shook him.
"I'm already awake but I guess it could be hard to tell." He felt her rolling over close to him and felt her breath on his face as she kissed him.
"Maybe today is the day we get some good news. Come on let me help you up and shave." It's the little things that he missed. Three months since he'd been able to watch her sleep and three months she'd been shaving him.
"I was thinking," he said as sat on the edge of the bed. "I should get an electric razor so I won't have to bother you with this."
"I don't mind," she said. But really he wondered how much longer she could put up with it.
"No, I think it's time and after we get done with Ellie today can you get me one?"
"If you want to go shopping I can take you?"
"No, no I really don't want to go out but if you do, can you pick me up one?"
It had been three months of self-imposed exile too. Sarah got him up and shaved then she prepared breakfast although he didn't have much of an appetite. The real trooper in this mishap was Sam who remained peaceful and tranquil through the upheaval from LA to Chicago. Even now she was quietly waiting for Sarah to tend to her after she got Chuck ready. Then after they were dressed she dressed herself and they were off.
Two months ago they moved out of Ellie and Devon's condo to move into their three bedroom apartment. Chuck needed routine and things had to be placed where he would know where they were. This was impossible with a small child in the house like Clara who moved things around or left them out where he tripped over them.
"Well we're almost at the hospital," said Sarah trying to be upbeat but she didn't know how much more bad news Chuck could take. She felt him slowly slipping as if he were imploding like that damn bomb that caused his problem.
"We're here," said Rick the taxi driver. He had been their personal taxi driver since Chuck's first visit, a Marine Vet. He had started driving taxis when he got back from Kandahar. He even admitted once to them that he had a hard time driving by bags and sacks left by the side of the streets. He had too many buddies and a close call himself with roadside IEDs
"How much," asked Chuck.
"This ride's on the house. I hope you get some good news."
"Come on Rick, gas costs money and we can afford it. Listen I'm going to leave a fifty back here and if you don't take it your next ride will. Buy your kid something nice, when do you get to see him next?"
"This weekend, if my ex doesn't protest or changes things on me again."
"Rick, I wish there was something I could do," said Sarah as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"It's just nice having passengers like you three to talk to. This can be a lonely world. Well you two need to get out or you'll miss your appointment."
"Hardly, it's with my sister," said Chuck as he pulled out a C-note and handed it to Rick.
"Hey this is more than-"
"He knows Rick," said Sarah. Sarah knew Chuck had given Rick the note on purpose because he had all his bills folded differently so he knew the denomination as soon as he felt them. "Do like Chuck said and get something nice for your boy and know we're thinking of you."
"Thanks do you want me to swing by at the usual time for the ride back home?"
"No we're supposed to go out with Chuck's sister for dinner. I want to try and get him to go for a walk in the park. We'll call with the date and time for the next appointment."
"Don't get me wrong but I hope there are no more appointments. Three months of poking and prodding in a long time. I went through a month at the VA and I thought I was going batty I can only imagine what your husband is going through."
"Thanks Rick," said Sarah as she got out unfolded the stroller putting Sam inside then took Chuck by the arm and led him in.
Chuck took a deep breath as he heard the whooshing noise of the automatic doors. As they opened there was a blast of cold on his face from the air conditioning followed by an acrid smell of medicine. He had complained to Ellie but he seemed to be the only one who noticed it. There were times like today that it made him feel nauseous.
"Do you want to go straight up after I drop Sam in the nursery or would you like to get a coffee?" There was no way he was going to be able to hold down coffee.
"I'm fine but if you want one we can go to the cafeteria. Just park me at a table and I'll wait for you."
"Are you sure? I can wait until you're with Ellie."
"Actually I'd like for you to stay and listen if you don't mind."
"Sure, if you want me to."
"I do."
"Okay, then let me drop Sam off first, I'll come back get some coffee and then we'll go up." Chuck could hear the tears in her eyes if tears made noise and he was so terribly sorry that he was this way.
She took him inside the cafeteria and he sat. It was all he could do not to scream. The ambient noise seemed deafening for him and the more he tried to isolate sounds the more difficult it became. He felt one of his headaches coming on. Luckily Sarah was fast and she quickly whisked him out of purgatory. After riding the elevator up to Ellie's floor they walked back to Neurology.
"Dr. Woodcomb," Sarah told the receptionist but there really wasn't any need by now everyone in Ellie's department knew about her brother, Chuck and his hunting accident.
"Sarah, Chuck please come in and have seat," said Ellie, "Well I got the results back from your last examinations and I wish I could tell you that there was some change but I'm afraid it's pretty much the same. Remember we talked about flash blindness that it is caused by an oversaturation of the retinal pigment. And under normal conditions the pigment returns to normal, so too does sight. In daylight the eye's pupil constricts, thus reducing the amount of light entering after a flash. At night, the dark-adapted pupil is wide open so flash blindness has a greater effect and lasts longer. But what happened to you little brother, Chuck," Ellie said trying to remain professional, "is different. There are no apparent physical reasons why you shouldn't be able to see which leaves us with psychological. I can only guess that this is a result of a quirk coincidence and that the flash that blinded you happened at the time you were flashing and somehow your brain thinks it needed to over dilate your pupil which seems a contradiction because the pupil should constrict in excess light not do the opposite."
"So where do we go from here?" asked Sarah as she took Chuck's hand. She noticed it was cold and sweaty. He was afraid but didn't want to show it.
"Right now we need to wait for a couple of weeks or a month then we'll run the battery again. Listen, there is no reason Little Brother you can't see," said Ellie trying to be the big sister. "One day you'll wake up and be able to see. I know you will you just have to have faith and believe."
"What do I do until then," asked Chuck. He was having difficulty speaking, words were thick and hung in his throat.
"Well, I believe until that time you should adapt, like when you lost the intersect."
"Practically I lost it too no sight, no flash, no flash, no intersect. How am I supposed to adapt?" Ellie got up and opened a cabinet she had in her office to hang her coat in. She pulled out three sticks that were actually three folded sections then she pulled it and it came together.
"No Ellie," said Sarah out loud without thinking, "please don't."
"Please don't what?" asked Chuck as Ellie put the cane in his hand. He felt it and knew what it was. This was like her slapping him in the face with his blindness; for that was what it was he was blind. Sarah put her arm around him and rubbed his back as he was trying to control his emotions. It was then that Devon stuck his head in.
"Hey guys are we all still on for dinner tonight? I've made reservations at six."
"Sure," said Chuck as he took a deep breath, "sounds good."
"Wait until you see the place. It is out of this world and the menu. The fish they keep in an aquarium all you have to do is pick what you want." Sarah and Ellie looked at each other.
"Sounds great Devon, I can't wait to see it," said Chuck, "I'm looking forward to it." Captain Awesome wasn't so awesome because he didn't pick up on Chuck's sarcasm.
"Honey, have you told them about the trip?" said Devon
"No I wanted to wait until tonight at the restaurant."
"There's no reason they can't know, it's no surprise. After all I get together all the time with my buddies from UCLA but this time it's really awesome."
"Tell me Sis about this awesome trip, it wouldn't be like for two weeks would it?"
"See I told you he knew already. Ellie was worried about leaving you guys here but I told her you three could manage while we're gone."
"So tell us the big news," said Chuck. Sarah felt his grip tighten on her hand.
"Well Devon's fraternity buddies have arranged for two weeks in Sharm el Sheikh."
"I hear it's lovely there," said Sarah. "You guys will have a good time."
"When are you going and I assume you're taking Clara with you?"
"Yes and we've asked Mom to come along too. Actually she volunteered to come along and watch Clara. We're leaving the day after tomorrow. I know it's sudden but that's when Devon's buddies arranged it and luckily we had our passports already updated."
"Sounds wonderful I hope you have an awesome vacation."
"Thanks dude," said Devon then he left.
"Listen Chuck, I don't have to go I can stay here if you need me."
"Ellie you have your family and your life I can't hold you back. It's not fair so go and take a lot of photos so when I get my vision back you can show them to me."
Sarah wrapped her arms around him and hugged him almost knocking over her coffee while Ellie whipped the tears from her eyes.
"Come on," said Chuck, "Let's go get Sam from the Nursery."
"If you want I can extend your time by telling them your appointment lasted longer if you want some alone time."
"No, I heard someone say something about wanting to go to the park and Sam's been cooped up too long inside. I think the plan is to stay there all day and meet you guys there for the restaurant."
"If you want to Sweetie," said Sarah.
"Love, stop it. I don't want you to end up being my servant or worse slave. If you want to do something tell me the world won't end because we disagree. I want you to be happy so please just tell me. I don't want you to end up hating me."
"Is that what you're afraid I'm going to do? I love you and this is just a minor obstacle in our way we can get over this together."
"It's an obstacle I can't see over."
"Enough with the blind jokes and puns I get it, please just be yourself again," she said as she caressed his face and kissed him. "Chuck, I love you."
"And I love you. Let's go," he said as he got up. Ellie walked them down to the elevator and without thinking waved goodbye.
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An hour later they were walking around the park pushing Sam in a stroller. She was wide eyed trying to see everything that was passed by and reaching out to touch as well. First was a Labrador she commented on by saying "ooh" as it trotted by along with its owner both avid joggers. Then there was a series of other babies each had to say hello in baby.
"Sam seems to be having a good time," said Chuck, "we should've done this sooner. I'm sorry if I haven't been a very good husband."
"Chuck, what are you saying? Listen none of this is your fault."
"Agents Bartowski," said a voice from behind them. Chuck stopped as Sarah responded.
"Good afternoon General. We didn't expect to see you here."
"May I walk with you," the General said.
"Please," said Chuck. "I assume you've been kept in the loop as to my examinations and their results."
"Naturally, I know everything about my agents." Chuck paused and took in a deep breath.
"Then I think I know why you're here."
"What is it Chuck," asked Sarah then she turned to the General. "What's going on?"
"I was afraid you'd guess but I also wanted it to come from me. I'm sorry Chuck but I will find another place for you in the company but I can't put you out in the field like you are now."
"I understand."
"I'll be back with you in a few days with your new duties and responsibilities. I'm sorry but I've had to revoke your clearance."
"Do you want my badge?"
"General this isn't fair," said Sarah. "There has to be another way."
"I'm sorry, I'm reassigning Colonel Casey and Sarah, I'll try to hold up your assignments for a while but I will need you sooner or later so you need to work out something."
"I won't go."
"Love, don't be hasty."
"I won't go. I can't go and leave you."
"General, Sarah, please let's leave it on a case by case basis for now."
"I think that would be a good compromise," said the General. "Chuck I have one last thing for you." She handed Sarah a box. "On behalf of a grateful nation I want to leave you with this."
"What is it," asked Chuck.
"It's a meritorious service medal," said Sarah.
"I guess that's the equivalent of a gold watch," said Chuck. "Thank you General. I'm not saying goodbye because I will beat this and then I'll be back."
"I hope so Chuck. But until then it's been a pleasure working with you," she said then she shook his hand and she was gone. Chuck dropped his cane and took off his glasses then he stood in the middle of the path and looked up with both arms out palms up.
"What are you doing?" asked Sarah as people started looking up too.
"I'm waiting for a pigeon to come along and crap on me. It's the only thing I'm missing today." Sarah picked up his cane and handed it back to him.
"Come along," she said.
"I wonder if I can use that medal to pay for our dinner tonight."
"Chuck, she wasn't fair with you it's not your fault."
"Love, it is what it is and that's all that it is. Why don't we go down by the duck pond and buy a bag of feed and let Sam feed the ducks."
"We need to be careful she doesn't eat it. I love you Mr. Bartowski."
"I love you Mrs. Bartowski
They met Ellie, Devon and Clara in the park as they had agreed. Devon drove them in his Toyota Sienna to the restaurant and it was everything Awesome said it was. Chuck could hear the sound of the aquariums and the clinking of cutlery and plates. There was a pleasant odor of fresh fish and seafood. The maître seated them arranging for a highchair for Sam who sat between Chuck and Sarah across the table from Clara. Ellie sat next to Chuck while Devon was next to Sarah and Clara. The waiter came and took their orders. Chuck made sure they de-boned his fish. Ellie poured Chuck wine and water then put his hands on the glasses so he'd know where they were.
"Thanks El," said Chuck, "maybe we can give Sarah the night off."
"What Sweetie? You know I don't mind." Then the waiter came with their orders. Ellie watched as Chuck sampled a little of each so he'd know where each was on his plate then with his fork he moved things around so everything was divided.
"I see you've made big progress since the last time we ate out."
"What, I'm not wearing my food."
"No you know what I mean you seem more relaxed and at ease eating."
"That might be due to the copious amounts of alcohol I'm drinking." Everyone laughed.
"Wow, I'm so happy to hear you laugh. You know little brother you're quite amazing."
"Yeah, bro you really are, not everyone can turn a frown upside down like you."
"Well if I do it's because of you guys. A toast," said Cuck, "to family and to my family, you guys."
"Here, here," said Devon.
"Speaking of family," said Ellie, "I was talking with Morgan by chance the other day and he said you haven't talked to him since the accident."
"You talked to Morgan by chance? Something smells fishy and it isn't the one on the table."
"Okay I called him and invited Alex and him to stay in our place while we're gone."
"So you're forcing me to deal with Morgan."
"You would've done it to me."
"Ellie, you can tell him, or I will, to go to the airfield and use our jet. I'll call Casey he can fly them."
"Love you heard Beckman."
"One last mission."
"One last mission, you know saying that brings bad luck."
"Sarah, school's out why not have Emma and Molly come too."
"Sweetie, they can stay with us. Molly keeps asking me when she can see you."
"If it makes you happy okay I just don't want to scare Molly. The last time she saw me well, I could see her."
"It'll be alright," said Ellie, "as long as you talk to her beforehand and prepare her. Tell her you had an accident and start from there. Children are pretty resilient more so than adults."
"Devon, you and I are lucky we've both got beautiful and intelligent women in our lives."
"I'll toast to that bro."
"Look," said Sarah, "I'm sorry Sweetie."
"What is it?"
"Sam is separating her food like you do." They all laughed. Chuck leaned over and gave Sam a big kiss on the head. She laughed and handed Chuck a handful of mashed potatoes.