Chuck vs. Where Loyalty Lies

A new story folks. Thanks for the review guys. I know it's being read judging by the number of hits to my story. Anyways, I know the beginning of the story is considering the jumping off point setting up the story. However, with this chapter you're going to get a taste of Travis and Eddie's back-story. Plus Charah as wel. It's going to chalk full of So I hope you like it. That's just Anyways, enjoy the read peeps.

Again, if you enjoyed reading my stories and left a comment please leave a comment for this this one as well. Tell me what you think and I hope you enjoy the read.

I don't own Chuck.

Blood Brothers

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Chuck stands there a few feet away in continued disbelief concerning the unorthodox appearance of Travis' brother-in-law Eddie. To him, it's like how in the 1964 Pink Panther movie "Shot In The Dark", Cato randomly attacked Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau in order to sharpen his skills. However, the big difference when it comes to this particular situation is they or should I say Travis didn't know about it. True, he could have notified his arrival by way of a phone call, a text, or maybe even a surprise visit at his house. In his mind, what he did would have seriously cost him his life.

As he continues to stand there, he watches them chat away with each other and expressing laughter like a couple of teenagers. To him, he could very well walk away and they wouldn't even notice considering how engaged in the conversation they both are. Chuck takes that moment to notice the spiky blonde hair, earrings on both ears, trimmed goatee, and scar just above his left eye. It's something he learned to take detailed mental notes before he left the spy game. Essentially, he couldn't help it because like his wife would mention so many times before old habits die hard, which was most definitely true he thinks to himself.

The brown haired business owner shakes his head with his arms crossed getting considerably impatient and somewhat annoyed as well. It's at that point, he steps forward making his presence known.

"So…" he emphatically announced. A polite smile expressed on his lips inevitably getting the attention of both men. "…what's your last name Eddie or do you simply go by one name. Like Fabio, Cher, Bono, or Elmo?" he inquired raising his eyebrows.

Eddie quirks his right brow after hearing the list of names being mentioned. He briefly turns to his brother-in-law sitting next to him who shrugs his shoulders. He expresses a hint of laughter that is a mixture of amusement and disbelief. Afterwards, he returns his attention back to the tall, lanky man dressed in a business suit attire. "It's Haskell."

Chuck's right brow instantly quirks up. As soon as he said his last name, he immediately knew what classic television show the name is associated with. He even grew up watching the show and still does as it comes on TV Land late at night. Lessons to be learned even from one of the best shows on tv back in the day he thinks to himself. To him, it brings up so many happy memories of his childhood and it was a simpler time back then. The only worry you had was getting in trouble for doing something totally stupid and forgetting to do your homework for school.

It's no longer wholesome family shows like The Andy Griffith Show, The Brady Bunch, Gilligan's Island, Full House, Growing Pains, Family Matters, and the list goes on. In his mind, those shows have fallen by the way side being replaced by reality shows like Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, The Jersey Shore, and anything else on MTV, which is no longer considered a network with actual music. Chuck knows he's mentally getting way off track and his thoughts concerning are set aside in order to focus on the matter at hand concerning a name pertaining to pop culture.

"Seriously? Eddie Haskell?" he replied eyeing the man sitting next to Travis.

Granted, he does exude the same quintessential two faced annoying qualities as the fictitious tv character in Chuck's mind. He did show up out of nowhere and make his presence known and even though he doesn't know him personally his Jedi senses are telling him he has a smart mouth on him. Of course, it's too early tell whether he will grow to like him or not so he'll give him the benefit of the doubt. For now.

Eddie nodded. "Yep. Different spelling though. H-A-S-C-H-A-L." He's briefly silent then continues on. "My parents were obviously Leave It To Beaver fans to give me the first name Eddie." he added shrugging his shoulder.

"Ya think?" retorted the father-to-be.

In that instance, Travis chimes in. "He never stood a chance…" An amused Travis leans over bumping his wife's brother in the right arm with his elbow. "…ain't that right bro?" he added expressing a chuckle at his expense.

Travis' brother-in-law doesn't say a word. What he does instead is playfully retaliate by pushing him off the car causing Travis to nearly fall to the ground. Fortunately, the former member of Team Chuck catches himself before he just does that. As he stumbles back a bit placing both his hands on his stomach, he expresses amused laughter for the intentional ribbing at his expense.

"Just you wait dude." Eddie mischievously grinned pointing at him. "When you least expect it. Be fair warned."

Chuck watches as Travis raises his hands up towards his waves then repeatedly wiggles his fingers in a mocking fashion towards Eddie. "I'm so scared." he chuckled.

For Chuck, he knows when to leave before it gets too physical. Granted, it's not the level of physicality between he and his brother-in-law Devon. He physically hurt him by encouraging to him lift weights, exercise, and not to mention drinking protein drinks that stink to high heaven. Yet, as he stands there watching the two of them interact it's a tight knit relationship where the bonds of friendship continue to hold strong despite not seeing each other for so long. To him, it's as if they picked up right where they left off he thinks to himself.

"I got to head off. Sarah is probably wondering where I am." he called out peering down to check the time on his watch.

The two men who are connected by marriage briefly stop their playful antics towards one another. "Later dude!" responded Travis jabbing Eddie in the side. As he watches Chuck about to get into his car, he gets his attention. "Hey Chuck!" he hollered over to him.

"Yeah!" he responded leaning forward and to the left.

"Dinner at my house. Tomorrow night." Travis pointed at him with a firm nod. "You and Sarah. Be there! Since it's the weekend and all."

"You got it buddy!" Chuck quickly saluted flashing a quick smile. His attention on Travis averts to his brother-in-law. "Eddie."

"Chuck." he nodded.

Chuck steps back, open the driver's side door of his now silver 4 door 2011 Honda Insight, hops in, and in a matter of seconds the engine is on. After backing out, Chuck rolls down the driver's side window then waves to the two men who are also getting into Travis' vehicle. They head to home as well on route to surprise his wife Shannon who hasn't seen in her brother in quite some time.

XXX

"I don't know about this guy. He seems sketchy to me." said Chuck. His head buried in an instructional manual.

It's Saturday morning and the parents-to-be, along with some helpers, are busy turning the guest room into a nursery. It happened a month after Sarah found out she was pregnant from Chuck at the C.I.A. medical facility. The bed that was in there was taken apart, removed and temporarily placed in Chuck's man cave/game room. Once everything was cleared within the room, they started buying the essentials needed for a nursery such as a changing station, musical carousel to hang above it, a crib to attach the musical device on, and a rocking chair. A rocking chair that Sarah is currently sitting on.

"I could go to Castle and run a background check on him babe." the blonde beauty retorted.

Sarah rocks back and forth as she humorously watches her husband try to decipher the seemingly simple instructions that came with the baby crib. She retrains herself from laughing as she witnesses her best friend for life lift up in front of his face the instruction manual that was spread out on the floor now in front of him completely hiding his face. He then begins rotating it clockwise then counter clockwise and at the same time cranes his neck to the right and right in order to try to figure out what shouldn't be complicated. As he pops his head from behind the large folded out piece of paper, he's intently scanning the carpeted floor for the packaged screws that go with what specific part of the baby crib.

"Uh huh." replied Chuck half listening to what his wife just said.

In that instance, a familiar female voice interjects her own thoughts into the mix. "You certainly will not." the woman sternly insisted.

The mother-to-be turns her attention from her very focused husband sitting on the floor to her sister-in-law Ellie. She is standing right behind her along with Devon who is holding in her hands paint swatches. The eldest Bartowski sibling hands the handful of colorful paint samples to her husband while she steps around inevitably standing in front of her pregnant sister-in-law.

"You are no longer working for the government remember. You left that life behind and I will not stand idly by to watch you get sucked back in, especially Chuck." Her attention on Sarah turns to her baby brother who is sitting on the floor intently focused on assembling the baby crib. "You heard me little brother."

Chuck doesn't even make eye contact from behind the sprawled out instruction manual. "Yeah. Whatever you say El." he incoherently mumbled responding to his big sister.

Afterwards, the good doctor returns her attention back to the former C.I.A. agent in the rocking chair. Her hands gently rubbing her stomach as she continues to rock back and forth. "You see. He agrees with me."

"That's not fair. He's not even paying attention."

"Yes he is."

"Oh really." Sarah leans over to the right directing her line of sight from Ellie to her husband down on the floor. "Chuck. Babe."

"Hmm."

"Morgan called. Mark Hamill is at the Glendale mall right now signing autographs and he said come quick."

"In a minute babe…" replied Chuck scratching the top of his head with his right hand. "…I'm trying to find where screw J is so I can connect it with side A and side B." he explained."

Sarah leans back expressing a smirk towards her sister-in-law. She doesn't say a word except to simply nod at her. As for Ellie, she rolls her eyes in response. She then peers up directing her attention to Devon who has their daughter Clara strapped to him. "Devon."

Mrs. Bartowski quirks her right brow at Ellie then leans forwards in order to look behind her. The two women are visually locked on the handsome heart surgeon who is put on the spot. He stands there holding a handful of paint swatches having no idea how to respond. On one hand, he must agree with his beautiful wife because disagreeing with her wouldn't be awesome at all because she's been dead set on not letting Chuck and Sarah return to a truly dangerous life. However, he doesn't want to get on Sarah's bad side either knowing she's not only 2 months pregnant, but a woman who was at one point in her life a trained assassin. No matter what I say, I'm a dead man.

"I'm thirsty…" he announced. "…is anybody thirsty. I'm thirsty. I'll…" A visibly nervous Devon quickly hands the handful of colorful swatches over to his wife. As he points towards the door, he makes his way there all-the-while trying to avoid giving his answer, which the two women witness evident by the serious stares being directed towards him. His attention on them is quickly averted to his brother-in-law sitting on the floor. "…I'll get you some water bro." he nervously said. He quickly slips out unfinished nursery making sure to avoid hitting the door or doorway for that matter with his baby girl.

"That's awesome Devon." he answered not looking up at all.

The two women's serious expression inevitably turn to hints of laughter. They both direct their attention back to Chuck who is totally focused on putting together the baby crib.

"He's not going to give up." stated Ellie.

"He'll drive himself crazy that's for sure…" Sarah smiles watching her husband hard at work. The outright focus and not to mention dedication he's putting forth for not only her, but for their unborn baby as well. "…but I love him to death." she added shaking her head.

A brief moment of silence is shared between the two women until Ellie breaks it. "This Eddie person…" she said crossing her arms. Her attention slowly returning to her blonde sister-in-law. "…do you think he's bad news?" she inquired with concern expressed in her eyes.

"I don't know sis." answered the former C.I.A. agent. "After Chuck told me what happened last night…" she said with concern in her voice. Her eyes directed towards her husband who is in his own world at the moment. "…I would be keeping my eyes and ears open at all times whenever I'm around him. That's just the former spy in me talking." Sarah emphatically stated.

XXX

It's 6:15 p.m. at Casa Bartowski and the happy parents-to-be are getting ready to head out to the Riley Residence located in Brentwood. While Sarah is busy doing her hair in the bathroom. Chuck is sitting at the end of the bed tying the laces of his Chuck Taylor shoes. He's wearing jeans, and a dark, long sleeve button down shirt. The sleeves rolled up just below his elbow. His dog Peaches is sitting attentively right in front of him. Once he finishes, he leans back planting both hands behind him for support. As he sits there witnessing his golden lab with her tongue hanging out the side possibly expressing a smile towards him, he reflects back on the conversation he had with his bearded best friend the other day.

Have I become annoying? In his mind, he has every right to be excited. Yet, he can't help consider the repercussions if he continues on with what he's doing possibly suffering a Gibbs slap to the back of his head from his secretary Beverly Kim. True, even though he may not be having the baby as Morgan clearly pointed out he feels the joy of being an awesome dad. It's what he personally witnessed with Devon when he went through it with his beautiful niece Clara.

Of course, he wasn't overly annoying but he did go overboard with the medical information to help make the life of he and Ellie's unborn baby better. Plus, purchasing devices that weren't really needed as well he thinks to himself. In his mind, he just can't help being excited for the arrival of his son or daughter. As much as he wants to know the gender of his unborn baby, they both decided to be surprised when the day comes for him or her to arrive. The mere thought of it brings absolute warmth to his heart and at the same time scares the shit of him.

So many thoughts are running through his mind concerning the future when it comes to raising his son or daughter. I hope I don't drop him or her? What if I don't have all the answers? Will I be able to have "The Talk"? Is he or she going to end up on some talk show blaming him or Sarah for how screwed up he/she is? If I have a daughter, how will I protect her from boys who have one thing on their mind? It's that particular though that truly scares him so much so he takes note to work on his intimidation skills that were previously mentioned but not discussed at the C.I.A. medical facility with her older sister Ellie. To him, it's a matter of priority if he does have a daughter.

His thoughts concerning the possible future of his son or daughter are set aside as he turns his head in the direction of his master bathroom. It's in that location where he witnesses his beautiful wife standing in the doorway fixing her hair. A faint smile appears in the corner of his lips as he thinks about how truly lucky is to have created the miracle of life with her. In that moment, he doesn't know whether their child will have the stunning beauty, beautiful blue eyes, and the strong independence of his mother or the inherit the scraggily brown hair, chocolate brown eyes, and the pension for playing video games of his father.

To be perfectly honest, the expectant proud poppa doesn't really care right now he thinks to himself. As long as he or she is a healthy baby, the rest will work itself out…hopefully. He just has to continually pray to God that there are absolutely no complications whatsoever during his wife's pregnancy or the birth as well. The all out fear of what could or might happen is his worst fear imagined ever since learning he will be a father. Yet, he puts those fear in Gods hands knowing full well he'll protect not only the baby but Sarah as well.

The comfort of knowing that puts him somewhat at ease. In that moment, he leans forward in order to scratch his loveably pooch behind the ears. Afterward he holds Peaches' face and looks her in the eyes.

"In about 7 months, you're going to have a friend who I'll know you'll be protective of. Isn't that right girl?" he nodded with a smile.

Peaches gives her response by sounding off a few soft sporadic bark then proceeds to hop up on to his lap licking him all over his face. The dog and owner playfully interact with each on the bed and as they do Sarah emerges from the master bathroom.

"How do I look?" asked Sarah. The blonde beauty models the white top and yellow knee length dress with matching shoes as well. The charm bracelet, gold locket, a set of earrings, red-ish eye shadow, and red lipstick with her wedding ring completing the entire ensemble.

Chuck and Peaches turn to towards her direction. "Awesome babe. Right girl!?" he asked playfully rubbing and scratching the dog's head, as well as behind the ears.

The lovable lab responds with a few sporadic barks. Sarah expresses a soft, glowing smile in response then turns her attention from Peaches to her husband.

"Let's go."

"Yup." replied Chuck. He gently pushes off Peaches from on top of him. He then rolls off the side of the bed and then hops up heading over to his wife. Once he reaches her, he plants a gentle kiss on her lips and at the same time intertwines his left hand with her right. As they are about to leave, Chuck turns to his dog once more who is sitting on the bed happily wagging her tail. "Watch over the house girl." he ordered. Peaches immediately barks in response as they disappear out of sight.

XXX

"And here I am dangling from the end of a rope attached to a carabineer with a gun pointed at my face and Travis here with his Keanu Reeves hairstyle…" Eddie amusingly shared sitting at the head of the table. He reaches over playfully slapping his brother-in-law in the back of his left shoulder with his right hand. "…takes his sweet old time repelling upside down like Spider-Man to get to me." he chuckled.

The dinner at the Riley residence would be filled will stories and much laughter mainly from Eddie sharing his exploits as a former member of the Zeitgeist. Beforehand, there was most definitely a happy brother-sister reunion but also an introduction to his nieces and nephew. In any case, the tales he shared along side his partner and brother-in-law Travis left everyone sitting at the table in absolute hysterics. Leah and Emma finished their dinner early leading them to be allowed to leave the dinner table to play while the adults continued to sit there listening to the sometimes embarrassing stories Travis was involved in.

"Hey…" responded Travis. "…I saved your butt more times than I can count or did you forget about that?" he emphatically stated eyeing his brother-in-law.

Eddie quickly retorted with laughter. "You never let me have a chance to."

The table explodes in laughter upon hearing that. As the laughter slowly subsides, it's Sarah who brings up a pertinent question regarding Eddie and Shannon. "So, who is older?" wondered the former government agent.

"Eddie…" answered Shannon sitting next to him with Travis on her left. His attention on the Sarah with Chuck sitting closely behind her to her brother. "…by 5 years." she added with a smile.

"Yup." nodded Eddie expressing a grin towards his little sister.

"So what happened that you didn't talk to each other for so many years?" Chuck wondered. It's at that point, the two siblings and Travis suddenly go silent leading Chuck and Sarah to briefly look at each then return their attention back to the 3 individuals sitting in front of, as well as across from them. "Did I just hit on a sore subject?" wondered Chuck with concern expressed not only his voice but face as well.

"Yeah guys…" chimed in Sarah. "…if it bring up bad memories we don't…"

Eddie immediately interjects. "No, it's not that." insisted Shannon's brother shaking his head.

Travis takes a deep breath then puts his 2 cents into the mix. "5 years ago we were on a mission in Turkey. The mission was supposed to by the book and clean but somehow it didn't end up being that way. Long story short, I nearly got killed."

Chuck and Sarah listen intently concerning what happened to inevitably cause the 5 year rift between the 3 of them.

"Yeah…" added Eddie. "…only thing he didn't but I did."

"How?" wondered Chuck furrowing his eyebrows.

"A gunman had me dead in his sights and I wasn't aware of it. Eddie was and he took the bullet for me. Shot in the chest. The gunman…" Travis pauses for a brief moment reflecting back on the situation. "…he took my bullet right between the eyes. The next thing I now we're airlifting Eddie to our medical facility. Thankfully he survived. The bullet just missing his heart."

"The doctor said a few inches to the left and he would have been a goner." Shannon explained getting a bit emotional. She retrains herself from crying after thinking about it the past involving what could have been concerning her big brother.

"Got a nasty scar to prove to as a reminder on how lucky I am." he said placing his hand on his chest. The location of the scar behind his dark shirt.

"He needed blood too. Lucky for him, I share the same blood type so it was a no brainer for me to help keep this sorry bastard…" Travis firmly stated. He reaches over with his right hand and lightly punching him against his upper left shoulder. "…form leaving this world."

"Your blood is flowing through my veins. So we're truly blood brothers." he replied with a smile. He lifts his left hand forming a fist.

"Definitely." responded Travis reciprocating the fist tap.

After it's done, Eddie continues on. "It took a long time for me to recover. Once you've been shot like that you don't come out the same person. You know what I mean?" he stated shaking his head. The happily go lucky demeanor replaced by subdued seriousness.

"I…" Sarah instantly corrects herself. "…we understand. We used to work for the C.I.A." the blonde beauty said. She reaches behind her in order to hold her husband's hand.

The brief moment of silence is inevitably broken up by Travis who continues on. "I saw the change in him and so did Shannon. Tobias saw it as well to the point where he had to make a tough decision."

"So you left?" inquired Chuck.

Eddie nodded. "I left. I needed to get my head straight. In order to do that, I had to go find myself again. It took 5 years…" he chuckled. "…but I'm back."

"I'm glad you are big bro." Shannon said with a bright smile. "How long are you staying in town for." she wondered with curiosity.

"I don't know yet. It depends really."

"Well…" chimed in Travis. "…in the meantime you get to have fun getting to know your two nieces and nephew."

"That would be great." he smiles with a nod towards his blood brother.

It's at that point, the sound of a cell phone is heard leading all individuals to check their Iphones. It's not the 3 former Team Chuck members or Shannon but rather Eddie who answers it. "Hello?" After a brief moment, he stands ups expressing an apologetic look towards the occupants sitting at the dinner table. "I'm sorry I got to take this."

"Girlfriend?" grinned Shannon.

"Maybe." retorted Eddie with a smile towards his baby sister.

All 3 individuals wave him off leading the eldest Haschal sibling to slip out to the back porch. Once he shuts the back door, he steps forward to the end of the porch and continues speaking. Yeah, I'm here." he said briefly turning around to look behind him. "It's going to take some time. Give me a weektwo weeks tops. By then we both get the big payoff." he firmly stated. His eyes narrowing with an absolute look of seriousness.

XXX