A/N: Hi guys! I'm absolutely loving the reviews on this story already. Hearing some of your theories makes this a thousand times more fun! I am going to say that no one is even close yet, but that's because these first few chapters are only the first piece of the puzzle. I'm rewatching Chuck from the beginning right now, which I haven't done all the way through in a few years. As always, thanks for reviewing, and thanks for reading!

P.S. I haven't named the daughter yet because I haven't found a name I like. It doesn't have any significance to the story!

-Charahfan44

October 3rd, 2000

The mini golf course was turning out exactly as Chuck had expected; awkward. He was trying his best to mesh well with Julia, and not focus too much on what Bryce and Kate were doing, but he wasn't having much luck. Bryce did his usual thing, wrapping his arms around her and pretending as though he really knew how to hold a golf club. Kate took the bait, allowing him to show his affection.

"Dude. You have got to get some balls." Julia said, watching Chuck.

"They're already together." He replied. "And he's Bryce Larkin. I'm no one."

"Do you really believe that? I think there's more between you and Kate than you realize."

"What do you mean?"

"Here." Julia stepped in front of him, planting his feet firmly to the ground. "Put your hands around my waist." She instructed.

"What?"

"Just do it." She gave a slight laugh.

"Okay." Chuck did as she said. "Now what?"

"Kiss me."

"Here?"

"Bartowski, I'm giving you free reign to use me. You won't get another offer like this, trust me."

"I don't want to use you."

"That's why I'm letting you."

"But-" His words were stopped by Julia's lips. What started out as a simple kiss evolved into a full on make out between the two. As nervous as Chuck was to be with this incredibly beautiful woman in the middle of a putt-putt gold course, he couldn't help but live in the moment. They separated after about a minute, both unsure of what to say.

"Damn, Chuck." Julia finally said.

"I may have some surprises hidden up my sleeve." He said slyly.

"You don't say." She smiled, turning around to move on to the next hole. "It worked, by the way."

"What did?"

"She saw the whole thing." Julia stated. Chuck looked ahead, catching Kate's eye for a split second. She looked at him somewhat disapprovingly, and Chuck noticed a flicker of jealousy. Julia reached for his hand, pulling him forward. "Let's go, champ."

"I don't know if that's the best word to describe me." He said playfully.

"Should I call you frenchy, then?" She raised an eyebrow.

"We can stick with champ." He nodded in embarrassment.

"There you guys are. I thought we were going to have to come and pry you apart." Bryce clapped Chuck on the back. "Good going, man."

"He's better than you described, Kate." Julia cuddled up to Chuck. "Thanks for setting us up."

"No problem." Kate nodded shortly.

"Do you guys mind if we get out of here?" Julia asked.

"What?" Chuck and Kate asked in unison.

"I'd like to go back to my place." Julia rubbed Chuck's arm softly.

"Of course not, go have some fun." Bryce winked.

"Thanks." Julia pulled Chuck away. "I'll have him home tomorrow."

"Where are we really going?" Chuck asked as they walked away.

"My place." Julia replied.

"Uh, I don't know if I'm ready for that level of espionage."

"Relax, Chuck. We don't have to do anything other than hang out."

"Is this all really a good idea? Kate looked mad."

"That's on her, not you. She set us up. Besides, if she's mad, it's because she's jealous. She need to figure out what she really wants, it's not fair for you to keep pining after her if she likes you too."

"I guess you're right."

"That's how it normally goes." She laughed. "You'll learn, Chucky. You and I are going to be great friends."

PRESENT DAY

I stared at my dad as we entered the produce section of our local grocery store. I was starting to become so invested in this story that sometimes I forgot just what exactly he was saying.

"So she wanted to sleep with you to get back at Kate?" I asked, grossed out.

"I probably should've left that part out." He looked down at the tomatoes in front of him.

"You didn't do anything with her did you?" My tone was serious.

"Of course not, who do you think I am?" He replied.

"I don't know. I definitely didn't think you'd use a girl to make another one jealous." I frowned.

"Maybe telling you all of this isn't such a good idea."

"You've already started, you can't stop now!" I whined. "Plus, we shook on it."

"That we did." He laughed.

"So did you and Julia end up together?"

"No, actually. After that night I never really saw her again."

"You didn't?"

"She wasn't really my type." He laughed again. "Trust me."

"Was Kate jealous?"

"I think so."

"You don't know?"

"Not really. We kind of lost touch after that."

"What do you mean? She was still dating Bryce, wasn't she?"

"For a little while, yeah. But they didn't stay together."

"Why?"

"Your Uncle Bryce is not a one woman kind of guy." Dad explained. "It was a miracle tat he stayed with her as long as he did."

"When they broke up, did you swoop in and tell her how you felt?"

"No." He admitted.

"You chicken!" I yelled, causing people to look over. "Sorry." I put my hand over my mouth.

"Feelings are harder to deal with than you realize. Not everything is like the movies you watch." He said. "Real life has a way of repeatedly kicking you down, and it doesn't usually help you get back up."

"Well obviously you guys got together at some point, or else she wouldn't be in the story."

"You are correct."

"So how did it happen?"

"Patience, young grasshopper." He smiled. "You'll have to wait until we reach that part in the story."

"When will that be?" I asked.

"When I tell you more."

"The ride home?"

"Sure." He said with a grin. I basically rushed him out of the store, wanting to hear the next part of the story as quickly as possible. I got into the passenger side of the car, and looked at him expectantly.

"Alright, what happened next?" My eyes were wide with curiosity.

"I think I failed a math test the next day." He joked.

"Dad!"

"Okay, okay. Let's jump ahead just a bit, or we'll never finish."

December 20th, 2000

With Halloween and Thanksgiving done and over, everyone on campus was looking forward to Christmas. Chuck was happy to go home, especially to see his best friend, Morgan. He tried keeping in touch with his family and friends back home as much a possible, but it was hard to do with his class load.

"Have a good time back home, Chuck." Bryce had a back pack and suitcase in each hand.

"Yeah, you too." They shared a "bro hug" before Bryce left the room. Chuck's flight was departing from Boston Logan International Airport in a few hours, but he still had plenty of time as it was only about twenty minutes from campus. He wanted to get a little more time in at the library before he left for the break, especially because he knew that the work load would increase when school started again. He bundled up in a sweatshirt, winter coat, jeans, long wool socks that his mother had sent, and his usual Chuck Taylor's. He shivered as he made his way through the library doors, feeling the warmth of the room almost immediately. He grabbed a book on chemistry, and sat down to read.

"This is how you're starting your vacation?" A familiar voice asked sarcastically. Chuck looked up to see Kate standing in front of him.

"You're in here, too." He replied, smiling his famous smile.

"I'm returning some things before I get fined," She pointed at his book, "You're actually working."

"I guess you got me there." He laughed. "How've you been?"

"Pretty good. Just busy with school, you know how it is."

"That I do." He said. "It's been a while."

"Yeah." She looked down. "I've been meaning to call you."

"You don't have to lie to save my ego." He joked.

"Just because Bryce and I aren't together anymore, doesn't mean you and I can't still be friends."

"I could've just as easily called you."

"True." She allowed herself to smile. "You aren't staying on campus over break, are you?"

"No, I leave in a few hours."

"What a coincidence, so do I." She kept her smile. "We could probably split a taxi, it would be cheaper."

"You're pretty smart, aren't you?"

"You forgot?" She smirked.

"No, definitely not." He looked at her the way he used to, causing a moment of weirdness between the two. They looked away from each other, both laughing nervously at the awkward tension.

"I guess I can wait for you." She feigned annoyance to break the silence.

"I won't be here very long." They spent another thirty minutes in the library, mostly sitting in silence, glancing at each other every few minutes or so. It didn't take long for them to grab a taxi and get to the airport, especially because traffic was unusually clear. "Thanks." Chuck handed the cabbie some money.

"I thought we said we'd split it?" Kate asked.

"It wasn't that much." He replied. "It's fine."

"What airline are you with?" Kate asked as they waked through the main doors of the airport, their luggage in tow.

"Uh, American. You?"

"United."

"So I guess this is where we part?"

"I guess so." They stood facing each other, unsure of how to say goodbye. "We'll see each other in a month." Kate shrugged.

"Yeah, not a long time at all." Chuck agreed.

"See you later, then." She smiled.

"Later." He turned to leave, regretting the weird goodbye. "Kate?" He turned back around.

"Yeah?"

"Call me when you get home?" He asked. "You know, just so we can talk about our flight experiences."

"I will." She nodded before walking away. Chuck couldn't wait to hear from her.

December 25th, 2000

Chuck had only been home a few days, but he already felt as though something was missing. He loved spending time with his family, and he cherished every moment. Going to a school so far away had really made him miss home. His sister, Ellie, stayed close to home, attending UCLA. This year, she brought her boyfriend home with her. She was in her final year, studying to become a surgeon.

"So, sis, how's school?" Chuck asked, the two of them sitting in front of the Christmas tree in the living room.

"Good. I'm sure you know how tiring it can be." She sipped her eggnog.

"Definitely." He mirrored her. "Devon seems like a good guy." Chuck peered around the corner to the kitchen area, watching Ellie's boyfriend help his parents with breakfast.

"He is." She smiled. "What about you? Have anyone special back at Harvard?"

"Not really." He tried to keep a straight face, but failed.

"Charles Irving Bartowski, you spill the beans right this second!" She smacked him playfully.

"There is this one girl..." he trailed.

"Tell me everything."

"There isn't much to tell. She dated Bryce for a few months and when they broke up, we stopped talking."

"So ask her out." Ellie suggested. "Girls like guys who make the first move."

"She doesn't like me like that, El."

"She's said that?"

"Well, no."

"Okay then." She said firmly. "Chuck, you're a catch. I'm not just saying that because you're my brother."

"You're obligated to tell me I'm awesome, it's in the sibling contract." He joked.

"Have you told her how you feel?"

"There really hasn't been a good time." He frowned. "We went to the airport together when we left, and she said she'd call, but she hasn't."

"Have you called her?"

"Yeah. A few times." He admitted, slightly embarrassed. "I think I'm getting the message pretty clearly."

"I don't think you should write her off just yet."

"Write who off?" Stephen Bartowski asked as he entered the living room, Devon and Mary behind him.

"Oh, no one." Chuck shrugged it off.

"So, who's up for some pancakes?" Mary asked.

"Oh me, of course!" Chuck jumped up excitedly. "Devon, my mom makes the best Christmas morning pancakes, trust me."

"Oh I believe you, bro. I snuck a few in already." He put his hand up for a high five.

"You got the first one?" Chuck asked.

"We saved plenty for you, son." Stephen said, noticing the pout on Chuck's face.

"But the first one is always the best." He said.

"Don't worry, I put that one aside for you." Mary whispered to him as they all filed into the dining room. Chuck grinned, appreciating his family. Christmas was his absolute favorite time of year, and he always made sure to remember every moment. But this year, he couldn't help but feel out of the loop. Looking at Ellie and Devon together, and then his parents, he wished he had someone, too. He wished he had Kate.