Lies of Omission2

Chapter 2 – Return of the Golden Girl

Sarah took one final pass through her apartment in Arlington before leaving. There wasn't much left but she would hang on to the apartment in case they needed a place to stay 'off the books' or if they were required to spend any time in DC. Satisfied that she'd left nothing behind that she needed, she grabbed her two suitcases and headed for the cab and the airport.

Casey's apartment Burbank, CA

Casey had hung on to the old apartment rather than relocate. He liked the area and it was close to the office and Ellie and Devon had become like family to him since Chuck started dragging him there for the fabulous Friday dinners. He took a last look around, set his security and left to pick up Chuck and head out. He threw his war bag into the trunk of his car and chuckled. He was finally doing what his training meant for him to do. He and Bartowski were going into battle.

Three hours later

Casey was hunkered down behind a tree. Enemy fire had him pinned down and he shouted out for Chuck to pull back and try and flank them. They'd started out with a team of five but had lost three to an ambush.

His cell phone trilled and he cringed. He forgot to turn it to vibrate in the excitement of preparing for the mission. He looked at the display and smirked. Her.

"Walker, I'm a little busy right now. Hey, Chuck, watch it. I see a sniper at 3 o'clock. Watch it."

Sarah's eyes got big and she almost lost control of her rental car. She was finally out of the airport and on her way to the Orange Orange to log into the Castle and find Chuck.

"Casey, what's going on…"

She heard '…you got the bastard. Good. Give me cover while I run to the shed…they're flanking you, Chuck. Watch it…oh, shit.'

"Casey! Casey! Damn it, answer me!" She finally pulled off the road to devote all her attention to Casey.

"They got Bartowski. I'm the only one left… I…" The connection abruptly terminated and Sarah froze.

Casey looked down at his cell phone. Damn it! Covered in white paint! He got off his knees and started running for the shed and the enemy flag when he was hit by several enemy paint balls. Disgusted with himself, he walked over to where Chuck was scraping paint off the lexan visor of his paint ball helmet.

"We lost." Casey hated to lose at anything.

"Hey, we won the first three matches and we took on the LAPD Swat team and we had three amateurs foisted on us at the last minute. I think we did damned good, John."

"Yeah, well, your girlfriend distracted me…oh, crap." He took out his cell and redialed Walker.

"Hello?" She was crying. She was too late.

"Sorry about the phone. It got shot out of my hand. Meet me at my apartment and you can explain why the hell you didn't follow orders and stay the hell away!"

"It doesn't matter. Nothing matters without him. Casey…did he suffer?" She hoped it had been quick and painless. She didn't want to think of him slowly bleeding out somewhere, alone and afraid.

"Nah. Two in the chest and one in the back of the head. He never knew what hit him. Listen, we're going out for pizza and beer. I suppose you could show up. How long are you staying?"

She couldn't talk. Chuck was dead and he was going out for pizza and beer?

Casey heard her sniffling and realized what she thought. "Here, Chuck. It's Sarah. She's crying. Something bad has happened. Talk to her. Don't be an ass."

Casey walked away to gather up the gear and to give Chuck some privacy. Maybe thinking he was dead would knock some sense into her. Chuck needed her a lot more than Bryce Larkin did.

Chuck stared at the phone and sighed and then wiped off some of the white paint still on it and sighed again. He had no idea what to say to her and he was following her proven method of dealing with uncertainty: delay. He realized he'd been staring at the phone for a long time and screwed up what little courage he had and answered it.

"Sarah, what's wrong? Talk to me. I'll do anything I can to help you, you know that. Please quit crying and tell me what happened? Is it Bryce? Is he hurt…dead?" He didn't know how he could possibly console her if Bryce was dead. He just didn't have it in him to fake sorrow.

"C – Casey said you'd been killed by a sniper, that's what's wrong. I thought you were dead!"

"Ah, Sarah, it was paintball."

"Paintball? I thought… oh, Chuck, I thought you were dead and I never got to tell you how much I loved you!"

"You – you love me? Sarah, are you drunk? High? What's the problem?" If she loved me then why the hell did she leave me?

"Sometimes you're so damned dense, Chuck. I'm home. Here in Burbank, or I will be in about an hour. I'm back. I've been permanently reassigned to Team Bartowski. I'm home, Chuck, for good! Beckman says you're not an asset anymore and we can be together, baby, just like we planned before!"

Silence.

"Chuck! Chuck, are you there?"

"I'm here. So what happened to Bryce? I thought he was going to save the world once he had his Golden Girl back again."

What did Beckman plan now? He'd been a good little soldier and had toed her 'line'. Why send her back to the second string when the Golden Child obviously needed her?

'Oh, crap! He's over-analyzing things again. How can I explain it to him?'

She decided on the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – almost, of course.

"I made a deal with Beckman to keep you out of detention or worse if the thing in your head couldn't be removed and we couldn't be together like we wanted without the damned cover. I went with Larkin as his work partner, honey, nothing else. I was supposed to evaluate how he handled the new thing in his head. He failed miserably and blamed everyone but himself."

Silence.

"Chuck, it's the truth. If the int – the thing in your head could have been removed I was going to stay and we'd have had a normal life together but your dad couldn't get it out so I had to honor my agreement."

Silence. She decided to wait him out. He was thinking, analyzing, looking for anything that might rise up and bite him in the figurative ass sometime when he least expected it. She knew how his mind worked. Maybe things had changed? Maybe…maybe he didn't want her any more?

"Thank you saving me from the bunker, Sarah." His tone didn't exactly convey a feeling of gratitude.

"That's it? That's all you've got to say?" She was torn between tears and rage. She wanted to hit something and hurt it.

"Where are you now?"

"Uh, on the Harbor Freeway. I pulled off the road. Why?"

"Got GPS?"

"Yeah." Curiosity replaced anger.

"Put in these coordinates. Apartment 2111, on the corner. See ya in an hour. The door will be unlocked. Don't speed, Agent Walker. We have all the time in the world to work things out the right way this time."

She could hear the smile and relief in his voice. She punched in the coordinates and started the car.

"Tell me again, Sarah?" She knew exactly what he wanted to hear.

"I love you, Charles Bartowski. See you in an hour. Take your time showering but don't use all the hot water. I stink of fear, baby, and I don't want you smelling it, OK?"

"Then I'll wait until you get there, unless you want to shower at your hotel?" She could hear the real question in the cadence of his voice. He was examining the situation to avoid any potential misunderstandings.

"I'm not staying at the hotel unless you want me to. I thought I'd move in with you and we could make up for being apart almost five months."

"Good. See ya. I'll clean out a closet and some drawers for you. I'm glad you're home, Sarah. Bye."

She smiled and then breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe it wouldn't be as difficult to mend the fence as she'd believed.

Chuck hung up Casey's cell phone and tossed it to him. Casey saw the look on his face and knew that he was about 30-seconds away from the first serious argument between them since Walker left.

"You knew about her deal with Beckman all this time and you didn't tell me?" His fists were clenched and the cords in his neck were tight.

"Yeah, from the start, but you had no need to…"

"Don't give me that horseshit, Colonel Casey! I had every need to know. I wouldn't have gone crazy and screwed things up! You should have told me. You had no right to keep it from me, at least not after I got analyst status."

"Hey, it's not my job to control your damned trouser snake. You're an adult and you reacted to the situation as you perceived it. She tore you up and you just kept on going, Chuck. Would it have been easier if you were mooning around feeling guilty because she loved you enough to go back to the field with Larkin in order to keep you out of the ground? Talk to her about it, Chuck, not me."

He turned his back on Chuck and his anger and walked to the car. He wouldn't get into it here and now, not until Walker had a chance to explain things in detail. Then if he wanted to discuss it reasonably, he would but not until.

Chuck finished up clearing the closet for Sarah. He'd already cleared out most of the bureau drawers for her stuff. The vanity drawers in the bathroom had never been used. Anything he needed was either in his shaving kit or kept in the medicine cabinet. He grabbed the trash bag with his 'obsolete' clothing and walked down and out to the rear parking lot and the dumpster.

Sarah sat in her rented car staring at Chuck as he walked down the stairs carrying a large trash bag. She snickered to herself figuring it was full of take out cartons and pizza boxes. Mustering up her courage, she popped the trunk, pulled out her suitcases and trudged up the stairs to his apartment door. She considered just waiting until he came back but she wanted a few minutes in his apartment to calm down and center herself.

She was nervous. She'd dreamed and daydreamed of this moment for almost 5 months and now that it was a reality she was suddenly nervous and shy.

The first thing she noticed was that the apartment was immaculate. The furniture was rather masculine and the kitchen, what there was of it, was very small, almost 'cozy' – a word she'd never consciously speak out loud. She opened the refrigerator and saw almost nothing except salad dressing, bottled water and the usual condiments. She added 'grocery shopping' to her to-do list and then giggled.

'What am I thinking? I don't cook. Maybe Ellie will teach me?'

"If you're hungry, we'll have to go out after I change. There's not much here because we've been busy on a trucking company installation for 21st Century Security."

She jumped, startled by his voice and sudden appearance. 'Not very spy-like, Sarah, not at all. FOCUS!'

"I didn't mean to pry, I was just curious. I hadn't imagined it would be so…"

"Clean?" He laughed but then sobered up and pointed to her two suitcases. "Is that all? I mean, you had more clothes than that when you were here the last time." He wondered if this was a 'short assignment'.

"I dumped almost all my Orange Orange stuff when I left. The Agency handles it. I only use the two bags when I travel on assignment." She wondered why he looked so…uncertain. She figured out what he must be thinking.

"Chuck, look at me, honey. I'm here for good. This isn't a short-term assignment. It's permanent as far as I'm concerned. I know how your experience with us spies has made you suspicious and cautious but I'm here as Sarah, the girl, first, and Agent Sarah Walker a distant second. I'll say it as many times as you need to hear it, Chuck. I – love – you! I want to make a life with you, understand?"

"Why didn't you tell me in the courtyard before you left, Sarah? Why didn't you tell me why you left? Why didn't you tell me about your deal with the She-Devil? It would have made a difference to me and how I spent the past few months. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I wasn't allowed. Beckman said it would have a negative impact on you and might affect your ability to flash. Casey knew all about it but he's Casey and would assume you had no 'need to know'. I know I ripped your heart out that day. I wanted to scream out that I loved you and that I'd come back to you someday but I couldn't make a promise like that. I just died inside after you turned away and left me."

"I couldn't handle talking to you or even hearing your voice on voicemail. I deleted every message. I knew you were never coming back and I needed to move on and I tried but every time…"

She moved closer to him until she was touching him and she put her arms around his waist and pulled him tightly to her. She didn't want to hear about what he'd done these past months. She didn't need to hear it. Yes, she did.

"Every time what, Chuck?"

"I couldn't commit. I lost interest. I guess I sabotaged any hope of a relationship with anyone else. I didn't want anyone else. I wanted you. Subconsciously I knew I had to wait for you if it took me forever so I either pissed them off so they'd leave or I'd leave. I should have waited for you. I feel like such a shit for not holding out for this miracle."

He smelled her hair and closed his eyes and leaned his cheek against her hair inhaling the scent.

"Hey, listen to me, honey. What's done is done and neither of us can do anything about it. Today is a new beginning for Chuck and Sarah, OK? We'll go forward and not look back except to learn from our mistakes."

"When did you get so damned smart, Sarah? I don't remember you having this much depth…were you holding out on me?"

He smiled that shy smile that made her get all weak. 'If he ever learns the power that smile has over me, I'm so much putty in his hands.

"Let's shower and then hit the mall, Chuck. I need to replenish my stock of California clothes. The we can either come back here and order something or pick it up on the way home."

Chuck's eyes glazed over as he thought about Sarah and shopping. She'd look at everything, try things on, touch fabrics and then move on to another store and then another only to end up in the original store and buy the first few things she'd tried on or admired.

She knew what he was thinking and giggled. Men did not invent the concept of shopping, woman did. Men hunted, women were genetically programmed to be food gatherers. Thus shopping was a genetic imperative in women.

She reached up and put her hands behind his head and brought his face down and kissed him – a slow kiss to get his attention.

When they parted months ago her kiss had been a goodbye kiss. This was more of a 'hello, I'm here' kiss.

"Sarah, let's take this slow. There's no need to rush into things until we're both ready, OK?"

"Chuck, I need to go shopping. I don't have…" This time his kiss was more passionate and demanding, his tongue tickled her lips and they parted and…

She was breathless. "Chuck, if we don't stop this right now we'll end up ripping each other's clothes off in your kitchen and making love on the floor. I thought you wanted to 'take it slow'?" If that was slow…

"I do and I was, Sarah. Now, go shower and get dressed and then I'll shower and we'll…ugh…go to the damned mall."

"We could shower together and save time…" Her impish smile delighted him and he grinned to cover his sudden shyness.

"Sarah, what's the difference between the kitchen floor and the shower? Nope, you shower and I'll just…I'll just wait and then we'll take care of 'clothing Sarah'. Later, we'll see about unclothing Sarah"

He got a serious look on his face suddenly and tightened his arms around her and whispered, "Tell me again, Sarah."

"I love you." She knew he was scared and had every right to be. If the situation were reversed, she'd be the one constantly seeking confirmation and affirmation.

She'd never been in a 'loving' relationship with any man before, well OK, one, and it had been a disaster. She was just as uncertain about things as her guy was. She needed to tell him that she was just as new to this as he was.

The Mall

Chuck parked his Impala and he and Sarah walked into the mall. He stumbled when Sarah put her arm around him and slipped her hand into his back pocket. She'd never been so intimate in their cover PDA's the last time around.

His mind supplied the answer. They weren't in a cover. It was real so he put his arm around her and the entered the mall.

"What's the plan, Sarah?"

"Plan? There's no plan, honey, this is shopping! There's no plan for shopping. You just…shop…look…try on…and then move on." She saw the look on his face and giggled.

"Sarah, did you just giggle?" It was a delightful sound, full-throated and spontaneous.

"NO! I do not giggle, Chuck. Have I ever giggled before? No. It's your imagination, Chuck. That's all." She had giggled and it was evidence of how relaxed and happy she was. She squeezed his firm butt and giggled again at both his reaction and hers.

This is normal. This is how it should be. Two people in love sharing their emotions. When he put his arm around her and tucked her under his arm she was practically purring.

Chuck was carrying several shopping bags and Sarah steered him toward the exit. She'd shown him mercy and kept her shopping and browsing to a minimum because they were both tired. She was on DC time and she was wearing down. She needed a nap before dinner but her stomach growled loudly prompting a laugh from Chuck.

"I guess I better feed you. What'll it be?"

"Pizza. I've had such a craving for pizza from that little place you took me to once on one of our 'cover dates'. We'll get it to go and eat it at home." Home. She loved the way the word sounded. Not apartment. Not hotel room. Home.

He picked up on her mood shift and realized he felt the same way. He opened the car door for her but stopped her from getting in. "I wanted to do this all the way through the mall but I wasn't sure how you'd react." He kissed her deeply with a hunger he hadn't felt since she left him all those months ago.

"W – Wow!" was all Sarah could say when he broke off the kiss. She was suddenly warm and felt like she'd been in the sun for a while. He leaned over and whispered, "tell me again, Sarah" and she did. She pulled his head down and whispered "I love you, Chuck" and then sucked his earlobe into her mouth and nipped it with her teeth.

He retaliated by leaning down and nipping her neck where it met her shoulder and then kissing and sliding his lips up to her pulse point and sucking it for a second. When he looked at her his eyes were dark and smoldering while hers were shining.

"I don't want to disappoint you, Sarah, so be patient. This is the first day we've been people without acting out for the 'cover'. Warn me if I push you too far. OK?"

"Chuck, take me home, baby. I've lost my appetite for pizza but have a craving for naked Chuck between the sheets. I love you, Chuck, and we're together now. Take me home and love me, please?"

Chuck woke up first since Sarah's body was still on DC time. He gently untangled himself from her and hit the head and then quickly dressed. He had a mission and he wanted to have it done before she awoke.

He returned to their apartment less than an hour later and made breakfast for her. It had been a long time since he'd felt as happy as he did. Making love with Sarah Walker was like…nothing he'd ever experienced. He'd had sex before, but with her it was different. He loved her and figured that was the difference.

He took a cup of coffee and walked into the bedroom. She was buried in the covers with just her head peeking out. He knelt down and blew across the cup several times and grinned when her nose twitched and one eye opened a crack.

"Is that coffee for me? It better be." A naked arm shot out from beneath the blankets but he moved back, drawing the cup just outside of her reach.

"Chuuuuuuk…that's just mean, honey. I need my coffee, Chuck." She sat up and wrapped herself in the sheet and reached out muttering something he couldn't make out. He leaned closer to hear and she snatched the coffee out of his hand with a triumphant "HA!"

"I've got breakfast on the table so slip into something and join me. It's almost 9am and we have things to do, Agent Walker." He walked out of the room grinning like an idiot.

He was pouring himself a cup of coffee when she padded into the kitchen, barefooted and wearing his blue oxford cloth shirt that he'd thrown somewhere when they were tearing each other's clothes off. She'd rolled up the sleeves but it was unbuttoned and she wasn't wearing anything but the shirt and a saucy smile.

"Too tired to button your shirt, little girl?" He walked over and kissed her good morning, sliding his hands under the shirt and around her and holding her against his chest.

"No buttons left. I'll buy you another one. I was in a hurry last night, honey, and all those buttons…"

" No. I think this shirt is fine the way it is." He kissed her hair and then led her to the one chair he had in the kitchen. "Blueberry pancakes, bacon and coffee coming right up."

"Chuck, your refrigerator was bare last night – oh, you went out this morning for this? I knew there was a reason I loved you besides the great sex. Um, about that…great sex. Can I have another round for comparison purposes just to ensure last night wasn't a fluke?" There was a lusty twinkle in her eye that he'd never seen before.

"Nope. We have things to do, Sarah. We have to return your rental and then pick up your Porsche, get you logged into the Castle, get you keys to the apartment and then we need to go furniture shopping. In case you haven't noticed, you're sitting and I'm standing. I want to buy a new breakfast set for us. And we need to discuss your new cover and you should probably stop by and see John."

"Got my whole day planned out for me, Chuck?"

"Just until 2 or so. I figure you'll be ready for a nap in the afternoons until you adjust to the time difference again. After all the running around and after last night I just might need a nap, too."

"We'll lie down, big boy, but I doubt if either of us will be napping…comparison purposes, remember?"

After showering and getting dressed, she shoved Chuck's 'ruined' blue shirt under her pillow. Who needed a robe?

She waited in Chuck's car listening to the radio while he went into a hardware store to have keys made for her. Her cell phone rang and she almost sent it to voicemail. 'What the hell does Larkin want now?'

"What do you want, Bryce. I've been reassigned. You're on your own until they assign another partner to you."

"I want us to be partners, Sarah, just like before. This thing in my head won't always be a problem and we can go back to the way things were before. I'm just adjusting to it and it's taking longer than anyone expected, that's all. I talked to Beckman and she's reconsidering her decision. Come back, Sarah. I know we can make this work!"

"You almost got us killed. IT almost got us killed. You can't control it and it's dangerous and counterproductive to our missions. I'm not coming back, Bryce. Forget it. I'm right where I belong and it's a permanent reassignment. Be safe and don't call me again. I won't take your calls."

She hung up, disgusted. He was a danger to himself and anyone he partnered with. His ego was writing checks his body couldn't cash.

I wonder what I ever saw in the Golden Boy? Wait! What did he mean Beckman was 'reconsidering her decision?'

Next: Ellie confronts Sarah. Larkin leaves messages for Chuck. Casey gets in Sarah's face. Sarah's secret hurts Chuck.