EXT. Courtyard outside Ellie's apartment.
Saturday morning.
Ellie leaving for work and Morgan
Morgan
Hey Ellie, is Chuck in his room? I really got to talk to him.
Ellie
No, Morgan, he's over at Sarah's. (Upset)
Morgan
Already? It's only… Oh, my man Chuck. (He tries to high five her) (She ignores him)
Ellie
This is not funny. Chuck has an interview in Washington D.C. plus he spent the night over at Sarah's and I have to find this out from John Casey.
I gotta go I'm gonna be late. (Ellie continues towards the street then stops and turns back to Morgan)
Ellie (Cont'd)
It's not that I'm not happy for him. According to John it's a once in a lifetime opportunity with the Buy More. It's just that he hasn't bothered to call and let me know what's going on. Staying at Sarah's, the interview. It seems I'm slowly losing touch with my brother and I don't know what to do about it. (Shakes her head in frustration) I've gotta go.
Ellie goes to her car.
Morgan
OK Ellie. I'm just gonna go make myself a sandwich.
Ellie lifts her arms in a gesture that says "whatever" without turning around.
Grimes enters casa Bartowski to make his sandwich.
INT. Ellie's apartment
Morgan's in the bathroom.
Chuck and Sarah sneaking in the front door.
Chuck
No, it's OK. Ellie's car is gone and Devon is at a seminar. The house is empty.
Sarah
Let's get in and get out. I don't want to run into anybody. Especially Casey. I don't think I could deal with him right now.
Chuck
I'll be right back. My laptops in my room.
Morgan exits the bathroom after Chuck passes and sees Sarah standing in the living room.
Morgan
Sarah, where's Chuck? I've gotta talk to him in the worst way.
Sarah turns to see Morgan and without missing a beat.
Sarah
Hi, Morgan. Chuck's getting his laptop. (Speaking loud enough for Chuck to hear)
Chuck comes from his bedroom and stands beside Sarah. (Looking nervous holding his laptop to his chest)
Morgan
Hey guy's. What's up?
Chuck and Sarah in unison "Nothing" as they shift from one foot to the other.
Morgan looks from one to the other a puzzled look slowly consuming his expression.
Morgan
What's with you two? Have you been drinking red bull all night? (Winks at Chuck)
Sarah
(Aggravated) Come on Chuck we gotta go. (They turn to leave)
Morgan
Chuck, wait, wait. I've gotta talk to you man. I need some advice. Big Mike has made me assistant manager. What am I gonna do? You can't believe the responsibility.
Sarah
We gotta go, Chuck!
Chuck
Sarah, give me five minutes. Just five minutes and we can get back to it. I promise.
Sarah
OK, five minutes. But that's it. You got it. (Dead serious) (Goes to her car)
Morgan
Dude, is she that anxious to get back to it. (Stunned look on his face)
Chuck
You've got four minutes left.
Morgan
What am I gonna do with Big Mike? Jeff and Lester are making my life hell man and I don't start officially until Monday.
Chuck
Morgan, you're the boss. You schedule their hours. You assign work. I mean as a last resort you could make them work on PC's. Use your imagination.
With Big Mike, as long as he can get his morning and afternoon nap without the store falling apart he'll be fine. (Looks towards the door) Buddy, I'm sorry but I'm dealing with something myself right now. I've gotta go.
Chuck hurries after Sarah.
Morgan watches his buddy leave.
Morgan
Now that's pressure.
INT. Casey's apartment.
Casey on video with General Beckman.
Sunday afternoon
Casey
General, I had assumed that we would have a team cover Bartowski and Walker. Do I understand that they're on there own?
General Beckman
That's right, Major Casey. We can't take the chance of being spotted. Only when we are ready to suspend the operation will we bring in a team and pull the Fulcrum agents into the trap.
Casey
Ordinarily, General, I wouldn't have any reservations about this mission but Bartowski's green. I would hate to loose a good agent like Walker because of his inexperience.
General Beckman
Very commendable John. But this is a huge opportunity for us and the truth is, this mission will be considered a success if we can safely bring in these agents. Even if we lose Bartowski and Walker.
Casey
I hope their worth it then General.
General Beckman frowns at the less than enthusiastic reply from the heretofore gung ho operative.
General Beckman
Major Casey, let me ask you a question. If I would have given you the order to take care of Bartowski a few months ago would you have done it?
Casey
I have never disobeyed an order, General.
General Beckman
I see. That doesn't directly answer my question now does it? Well, no matter. Chances are we've just signed his death warrant by promoting him to agent.
Casey
That may or may not be the case General. Bartowski can seem like an idiot at first but he can also be surprising.
General Beckman
Speaking of Bartowski being surprising, has he managed to compromise agent Walker with his goofy charm?
Casey
I wouldn't know about that General. You would have to speak with Walker about it.
General Beckman
I see. (General Beckman gives Casey an appraising look obviously deciding whether or not she believes his answers)
Casey
Unless there's anything else General, I'll see you tomorrow.
Video screen flashes off.
INT. Sarah's apartment.
Chuck and Sarah looking exhausted, sitting together on her couch.
Sunday night.
Sarah
Well I don't think there's anything to be gained by doing more. We're both exhausted and if we go under cover on Monday we're better off with a good nights sleep.
Chuck
That sounds great. Sarah, don't take this the wrong way but I don't think I could kiss you again.
Sarah
Thanks a lot Bartowski, if its any consolation, I feel the same way. Seriously though, I still believe you need to treat me more like a wife and not an object of worship. It feels like you have me on a pedestal.
Chuck
Yeah, OK, I'll try, but honestly Sarah this is how I think I would treat the woman I marry.
Sarah
(Looks deep into Chuck's eyes for a few seconds) I was just thinking... whoever she is, wherever she is right now, she's a lucky woman.
Chuck
Yeah, she could be living anywhere I suppose. New York, Minnesota, she could even be, oh I don't know, living in this very apartment building... you think?
They look into each others eyes for a number of seconds. Chuck leans toward Sarah and his phone rings destroying the moment.
Chuck
It's Ellie, Oh my God, it's Ellie. I've not called her all weekend. She's got to be frantic.
Answers the phone.
Chuck (Cont'd)
Hi Ellie, I am so sorry I didn't call… What. Thanks. Yeah, Sarah and I have been going over the interview all weekend. I think I'm ready. (Looks at Sarah) Sarah's really good at role playing.
Sarah hits Chuck with a pillow as she gets up to go to bed.
Cut to Ellie on her phone
Ellie hears Sarah say over the phone. "Come to bed when your through" and she smiles.
Cut back to Chuck
Chuck (Cont'd)
Goodbye Ellie, I'll see you when I get back home.
Commercial Break
INT. CIA Headquarters
Main corridor leading to Director Graham's Office.
Chuck and Sarah along with many others in the hallway.
Both dressed business professionally.
Everyone in the hallway, including Sarah, has a purposeful stride not acknowledging anyone else. Contrast to Chuck in everyone's way constantly apologizing for running into people. Sarah looks at Chuck somewhat disapprovingly.
Sarah
Focus Chuck, trust me, you don't want to be late for your first meeting with Director Graham.
Chuck
Sarah, this is not a matter of focus. Sorry, excuse me, oh, I didn't mean to.
Cut to them standing outside the Director's office.
Sarah,
Knock, and then go in. He's expecting you. Miss Honeywell will have you take a seat and then let you know when you can see him. Relax and be yourself.
Chuck
Where are you gonna be?
Sarah
I need to tie up some loose ends from other missions and catch up with an old friend of mine.
Sarah notices Chuck's look of curiosity.
Sarah
Her name is Melissa. Now go in there. They will call me when you're free.
Chuck opens the door and enters a large office waiting room. He sees a very attractive blonde at the huge desk in the middle of the room. He enters somewhat sheepishly.
Chuck
Excuse me, Chuck Bartowski to see Director Graham.
Miss Honeywell
Yes, Agent Bartowski, just have a seat over there and he will be with you in a minute.
Chuck takes a seat and waits anxiously for the Director. Chuck has trouble finding a place to put his hands.
Miss Honeywell peers at Chuck over her glasses becoming more amused the longer he sets there.
Miss Honeywell
Mr. Bartowski, the Director will see you now.
Miss Honeywell follows Chuck as he crosses the large waiting area to the Director's door. An appreciative smile on her face.
Chuck stops at the door and knocks as Sarah told him to do.
"Come in" from inside.
Chuck takes a deep breath and opens the door, steps inside and the door closes.
Cut to Chuck and Director Graham shaking hands.
Director Graham
Well it's good to finally meet you in person Agent Bartowski. Have a seat.
Chuck
Thank you sir. I appreciate this opportunity.
Director Graham sits back in his chair and looks at Chuck without speaking long enough for Chuck to become uncomfortable.
Director Graham
You know, Chuck, I'll be honest with you. You're not exactly the type of individual the CIA looks to recruit.
Chuck starts to respond but the Director cuts him off,
Director Graham
Let me finish. And even though you are not what I consider prototypical, you have been effective. Even your biggest critics cannot argue that fact.
Chuck
Sir, I wasn't aware that I had any critics.
Director Graham
In this line of work, everyone has critics. Remember that Bartowski.
There has been a lot of conversation and frankly compromise between agencies so that you can sit before me now as an agent for the CIA.
Chuck
I appreciate anything that was done by anyone on my behalf sir.
Director Graham
As well you should. I'll just tell you right now that you would not be here if not for Agent Walker. I thought you should know that.
Director Graham watches Chuck carefully for his reaction to this information.
Chuck
I didn't know. She never said anything to me.
Director Graham seems relieved at Chuck's response.
Director Graham
And do you know why? Because it would have been against policy, against everything she has been taught as a field agent.
The Director leans back in his chair and throws his pen on the desk.
Director Graham (Cont'd)
Speaking of Agent Walker… How would you describe your relationship to her?
Chuck understands there's more at stack with this conversation than satisfying the Director's curiosity.
Chuck
Well… I guess… I would have to say it is confusing. Sometimes I think she is a true friend of mine, and just like that, it becomes clear to me that I am only her job. I would say from my perspective that Sarah is a good friend.
Chuck stops to look at Director Graham having decided he'd said enough.
Director Graham
I would imagine that that is sometimes hurtful when she let's you know you mean nothing more to her than her currentassignment.
Again Chuck noticed the Director watching him closely.
Chuck
Director Graham, if you don't mind me asking, what's all the questions about Sarah and me?
Director Graham smiles and looks impressed with Chuck.
Director Graham
Remember when I said everyone in this line of business has critics?
Chuck
Yes.
Director Graham
Well that includes an agent of the caliber of Sarah Walker. Until she was assigned to LA, her record was so clean that her critics had nothing to peck away at her with. That is no longer the case.
Chuck
What do they say she's done wrong? Because I can assure you that she hasn't.
The Director sees Chuck is agitated as he defends Agent Walker.
Director Graham
You see how you're reacting? It tells me you care for Agent Walker. And when I say care for, I just mean you have an attachment not necessarily that you love her, understand?
Chuck
Yeah (Puzzled)
Director Graham
And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact you had just said you consider her your friend. But, a handler cannot form an attachment of any kind to their asset. This is basic protocol. To do so would devastate an agent's reputation let alone jeopardize the mission. Here's the problem. Agent Walker has been observed repeatably reacting to certain bad news with respect to you that leads some to believe she has developed an attachment to you.
Chuck
I can assure you Director Graham that Sarah does not care for me. She has made that clear.
Director Graham
And I can assure you Agent Bartowski that you would be the last person to know if she had formed an attachment of any kind including friendship. You know why?
Chuck shakes his head from side to side with his brow wrinkled.
Director Graham
Because that's the kind of thing that can get you killed. Even if she likes you a little bit, she knows to keep you in the dark for your sake. No, you would never find out from Agent Walker how she feels about you. She would have a hard time talking about this with anyone but her closest friend.
Chuck
Why are you telling me this?
Director Graham
Because if you, Major Casey and Agent Walker continue to work together and that's a big "if" right now, I want you to remember this conversation and think of Agent Walker and what's best for her.
Chuck
(Very concerned expression) I would never do anything to hurt Sarah. (To himself more than to the Director)
Director Graham
(Smiling) That's why we had this conversation. We should keep this between us.
Chuck
Not a word to anyone.
Director Graham
OK then Agent Bartowski, you've gotta a lot of paperwork to compete so we better get you started.
Chuck shakes hands with the Director again.
Commercial