I really enjoyed reading the story "The Other Agency" by Fire From Above. In his story Chuck was already with Fulcrum when Bryce Larkin sent him the Intersect. Chuck then had to balance his double life as a Government asset and a terrorist operative from Sarah and Casey. I thought it a pity the author didn't finish it. I believed that Chuck's double life would end badly for him so I started to put down some thoughts I had and this is the result. I hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Welcome to Roark Instruments
Jill was looking at him in disbelief. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, head in hands, face pale, and an aura of panic and despair settling around him.
"I didn't cheat. I don't know why he's doing this. I don't understand. Please Jill, you have to believe me." He was looking at her now, a look of utter pleading directed at her.
"I believe you." Jill walked crossed the room and took her boyfriend's hands in her own. His palms were sweaty with his nervousness. She just squeezed his hands and settled herself on his lap. They wrapped their arms around each other and held on tightly.
"Have you confronted him? Asked him why he did it to you?"
"He said I brought it on myself. Brought it on myself? What the fuck does that mean?"
"So where is he now?"
"Downstairs playing pool."
Jill got out of his lap and with a determination walked out of Chuck's room and down the stairs to the pool table where Bryce was playing a match against Steve Hunter. Jill walked over to the table as Bryce was lining up a shot. He ignored her presence and continued with his game until Jill snatched the cue ball up before Bryce could have his shot.
That got his attention as he stood upright and looked across the table at a pissed off Jill Roberts gently tossing the white ball in the air then catching it.
"Why the fuck did you do it?"
"I don't like cheaters!"
"What! You've been copying his work for three years, you have handed in assignments that he wrote passing it off as you own work."
"I have not!"
"Ha! You're the biggest sponger I know, throwing your money around buying up last year's students' class notes and exams tests. Nothing you ever handed in was your own original work. All that help that Chuck gave you and you repay him this way. You really are nothing more than a shitty rat!"
"Jill, you're no longer welcomed here in this house so get that fat arse of yours and get the fuck out of here!"
Big mistake. Jill's years of playing softball paid off, she threw the white ball at Bryce's head, Bryce's reflexes kicked in and he moved his head enough to stop a direct hit. The ball still managed the strike him just above the ear, it ricocheted off him and shattered a window behind him. The hit stung him enough to drop him temporarily to the floor before he got up to advance towards her. His path was blocked by Steve Hunter who grabbed him firmly at the front.
"We don't assault women in this fraternity!" He said firmly.
He held Bryce long enough to feel Bryce relax, he then spun the smaller man around and forced him toward the door.
"Get outside and find that cueball." And then gave Bryce a hard push, Bryce was out the door before he knew it. Hunter then turned to Jill and gave a wry smile.
"You better make yourself scarce." Then in a softer voice, "Good shot, I don't think we like him any more."
Jill didn't know what Bryce's game was, but she, and everyone else knew that Chuck was not a cheater. Unfortunately, the administration had another view. He was supposed to leave tomorrow, and she didn't know what to do.
Jill then ascended the stairs and re-entered Chuck's room, she noticed that Chuck had finished packing his belongings.
"This is the end, Jill. My life is over. I'm walking out of here in utter shame and humiliation. My dream job of working for Roark Instruments is gone. I know I have still have so much to offer, but that's going to waste. Not when I'm getting kicked out of Stanford for cheating. Roark won't even look at me." Chuck was still in a state of numb shock and underlying desperation.
She was surprised that Chuck had accumulated so little in his three years here. A couple of suitcases, his laptop and a box of nik naks, it only took one trip for the two of them to carry all the stuff to his car.
"Come on, you're staying with me tonight!"
Chuck was having a restless night's sleep, actually he wasn't sleeping at all, he was too busy worrying about how his life had suddenly gone off the rails. As he lay there, well, he tossed and turned that much it was impossible for Jill to get any sleep. It was still the early hours of the morning and Jill's roommate Cherry was soundly sleeping in the other room.
Suddenly Chuck felt Jill's hand moving, he let it roam over his chest and down his abdomen. She didn't stop until she had a firm hold of Chuck's manhood. She rubbed it until it began to grow hard then she moved her body and encased his prick with her mouth. Jill proceeded to give Chuck a blow job.
"Jill? What are you doing?"
"I'm helping you to sleep, relax and enjoy it!"
"You don't have to do this you know."
"I'm not having to, I'm wanting to. Now just relax and let me finish what I've started."
Chuck dropped back onto his back, as he felt Jill industrious mouth create an amazing sensation on his shaft, she sucked and nibbled and caressed him. She bobbed her head up and down his shaft and cupped his testicles with her hand.
She felt the change is his breathing; she was sure pressure of his climax was building. He couldn't control his release and erupted into her mouth; she didn't miss a beat and swallowed him completely. She carried him over the edge and into the darkness.
She wiggled up the bed and laid her head against his chest. "I love you, Chuck," she whispered softly as he curled his arm around her.
She always knew that their college affair would end and they would each choose a different path, Jill knew that her time with Chuck was coming to an end she wanted to help him. He was in trouble and he needed her. She tried to think through the swirl of emotions that were buffeting her.
"You know, Chuck. You're one of the most brilliant guys I know," she whispered in his ear. A flash of inspiration struck her. She felt her spirits lift a little in hope. "Actually, I don't think this is the end quite yet. I know someone who might be able to use your special talents."
The next morning Jill rang her "Uncle Bernie". He wasn't really her uncle but he was a close friend of her father and was always good to Jill. She rang him at his home and gave him the rundown on Chuck's situation.
"He is really brilliant. And there's the fact he's getting screwed out of a prestigious university. He is embarrassed and depressed about his future prospects. In his current mental state he will be extremely grateful for any job. Could you find him a position in R&D or as an analyst?"
Jill was looking hopefully at her Uncle Bernie. She was trying her best to sell Chuck to her godfather so that he can be happy. It would be an added bonus if Chuck could work locally as it mean that they could still stay together by working together.
Bernie took in all of the points that Jill had told him about Chuck. His grades, side projects, and other ways that he showcased his ingenuity in daily life were illustrated quite well by his favourite godchild. He definitely sounded like an attractive candidate for Roark Instruments. But he had to be sure.
"Jill, are you sure you're not doing this because he is your boyfriend?"
She was a bit taken aback, but quickly recovered. She decided to be honest. "Chuck is the smartest guy I know when it comes to computers and engineering in general. And I really think that he'll take well to any organization. And I wouldn't know about him if I wasn't dating him. The fact that he is my boyfriend is why I know he will be great."
"Will he be loyal?"
"Yes. He is everybody's friend and tries his best to please people. He is really vulnerable right now. He can barely look at anyone without feeling unfairly judged. The fact that he is getting kicked out of a prestigious university for cheating is going to put a red flag on him for any future employers. Roark was badgering him to go part time, well now he is available. He's nearing the end of his course and he wouldn't learn much more now anyway. He just won't have that piece of paper. As he sees it right now, there is nowhere left for him to go. But I can vouch for him that he has gotten everything in his life on his own merits."
Bernie leaned back and took in all that Jill had said. She was quite passionate and convincing about the guy. He trusted her judgment and could sense the truth in what she said.
"Alright, Jill; Bring him in. I would like to evaluate him and see what he can offer the company. In the meantime, we're going to do a little background check."
Bernie would pass on her praises to his recruitment officer at Roark Instruments, Vincent Smith was always looking out for smart people that may have a chip on their shoulder.
Tension eased out of Jill and relief made itself clear in her smile and the sag of her shoulders. "Thank you. I'll bring him in right away."
Vincent Smith looked at Chuck's resume, from what he could see, the kid was good. In fact the kid was gifted at computers; his grades were outstanding except for the one subject he ended up getting expelled over. The reasons why the CIA wanted Charles Bartowski had merited thorough investigation. In the meantime, Roark can swoop in and take Chuck as its own.
Chuck's interview itself did not go well, it was an obvious case of the nerves, Chuck managed to stumble his way through it, had he not been sitting down he would have tripped over his own feet.
Vincent couldn't believe the young man sitting in front of him was the same person on the resume. Vincent decided to ask Chuck a whammy of a question.
"Tell me something about yourself that is not on your resume?"
Chucked looked at him like he was a rabbit in the spotlight, he knew his interview was less than impressive, he was desperate to get this job, for Ellie and for Jill.
"I've been known to hack into secure sites." He said softly.
That was what Vincent was after, the boy was known to push the boundaries of legalities. He leaned forward in his chair and gave a wry grin.
"So you can hack? Roark Instruments has one of the most secure servers on the planet."
He thought he saw Chuck slightly shake his head. Vincent then pulled a piece of paper out of a draw of his desk. The image on the paper was the Fulcrum logo.
"If you can find this image using my computer, you have yourself a job!"
Vincent got out of his chair and beckon Chuck to sit in it. Chuck did as instructed and looked at the computer. Noticing the computer was on he hit the enter screen. Up popped the RIO image and it was password protected.
"It's password protected, can I have the password?"
"That's too easy. I want you to hack your way in."
"Oh? Right!"
Chuck rolled his shoulders then flexed his fingers and rebooted the machine, going though the setup menu he moved his way around DOS and the history files. Vincent was impressed, within seconds he had bypassed the security features and was inside the RIO Firewall. He worked his way into the Gif files and as they scrolled quickly down the screen until the appropriate image was on the screen
Vincent thought he felt in his gut that Chuck would prove to be an invaluable in advancing Roark's interests.
Vincent smiled at Chuck, "Congratulations Charles. Welcome to Roark Instruments. When can you start?"
Chuck was delighted, he didn't have much money but what he had was going to be spent making his girlfriend feel like a princess. Chuck was fortunate that Jill liked the simple things in life; him. Tonight he was going to indulge his girlfriend a romantic dinner at their favourite restaurant and then later something a bit more intimate.
To say that Ellie was disappointed, was an understatement, for her getting a piece of paper with a diploma on it was one of life's major goals, but it was softened when he told her that Roark Instruments wanted him. She knew that Roark had been proactive, actively source out students on campus, Roark was a company in a hurry. They must have thrown a big incentive at Chuck to get him to leave Sandford early, and Chuck was right, he could return later to finish once he settled in to his new life.
Fortunately he didn't need to tell her about the whole Sandford thing. He might not have gotten his diploma, but he was still pursuing a life goal. As he looked forward he was a little nervous about what he might have just gotten himself into, but it couldn't be any worse than anything else he might have had to do after leaving Stanford in disgrace.
Chuck was feeling a lot of things. Anxiety, excitement, nervousness, fear, giddiness, and nausea proclaimed war in Chuck. He still was a bit apprehensive as he walked up to the reception desk in the Roark Instruments lobby.
"Good morning, I'm Charles Bartowski, I'm new here, so I just wanted to know where I can find Mr. Rodney Barnes? It's my first day and this place is really big and I'm really excited to have the chance to work here."
"Well, welcome aboard. I'll just check you off our list, here you are, this is your pass and your ID card. Make sure it is visible at all times. Now do you have Mr Barnes number? No? I'll just call him, Yes Mr Barnes; a Mr Bartowski is here, It's his first day. Okay I'll send him straight up. Go to the elevators to Level 5. Take a left at the first hallway and keep going until you reach his office. Have a nice day."
The dismissal was not lost on Chuck, he attached his new ID card to his shirt pocket then using his pass card he made his way through the security gates. He followed some other people to the lifts then got off on the fifth floor. He soon found himself in a rather messy office.
Mr. Barnes stood up from behind his desk and made his way around to shake Chuck's hand. "Ah, you must be Chuck! I've read Vincent Smith's recommendation and I'm excited to get started with you. We are working on a computer database that will revolutionize the world. Oh where are my manners, first you'll meet the team, then we'll get you settled in and then we'll show you what we're working on."
Rodney took the opportunity to introduce Chuck to the rest of the team, Chuck shook hands with Anton Moss, Pete Pascatori and Henry Kaye. They all greeted him warmly, there was one member of staff that displayed his rudeness, he was Harry Tang. Chuck got a bad vibe off Tang especially with Tang's comment about Chuck being the new coffee boy.
Tang's face lost all of its colour when he found out the Chuck was given an office like Rodney Barnes, the rest of the staff were in the open area with cubicles.
After allowing Chuck to set himself up in his new office Rodney Barnes then took Chuck with him out of the door and into another elevator. Chuck couldn't seem to get a word in, Rodney was so excited, so he just took in everything his companion was saying. They got out of some basement level into a rather large and white room.
Chuck's eyes widened in shock and glee when he was face to face with Ted Roark himself. There stood Roark, in his Hawaiian shirt, white slacks and matching runners, white haired and with a suntan. Roark was tall, almost as tall as Chuck but as the years had weighted him down a bit.
The computer mogul smirked at him and held his hand out for a shake that Chuck was eager to do.
"Welcome to Roark Instruments, Charles."
"Thank you Mr Roark."
"Only arseholes and the President call me Mr Roark, you can always call me Ted!"
"Thank you Ted, you can call me Chuck!"
They finished shaking hands and Ted leaned in a bit closer and said, "I heard you cracked our firewall in a matter of seconds."
Chuck face went a mild shade of red.
Roark turned to Barnes, "This boy hacked pass our security in a matter of seconds. I like a man who can cross boundaries. I like a man who will use his initiative to get what he wants."
He then turned back to Chuck, "Your first task is to write a patch so you can't hack in the same way again!"
"Yes sir, thank you, sir. You can't believe how excited and grateful I am to be here. You are one of my heroes, and I just wish that I can make a difference in your company."
Ted beamed at the enthusiasm his new employee was displaying. "And we're glad that you can join us."
"What's this I hear about you getting caught with exam papers in your room?"
Chuck when bright red and he was about to say something but Ted chipped in.
"Can you believe that, now that's initiative!"
Ted grabbed Chuck by the shoulders and gave him a manly squeeze.
"Initiative. and that's what I like to see, a man with ingenuity, a man prepared to think outside the box."
With that he slapped Chuck on the back and then move to the liquor cabinet. He poured himself a very stiff whisky and held his glass up to give a toast. After tilting his head and slamming the drink down in one go, he smiled at Chuck and with delight he announced.
"We are working on a new computer that will help push our agenda on the world stage. However, it still needs some work. Let me introduce you to the Intersect Computer. I'm sure that with your skill, it will help mankind in every way that we desire."