Sorry for the delay and thanks for the reviews. :)
Title: Sacrifice
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: CS
Spoilers: Chuck vs the Best friend
Notes: This is an AU fic, alternate ending
Sarah parked her car across the street from the small elementary school. She shut the ignition off and got out shutting the door behind her. She crossed the street and after a moment's hesitation headed for the playground behind the school.
School was out for the day and it wasn't hard for Sarah to spot the playground's sole occupant.
Morgan was sitting in the middle swing of a swing set. His arms were looped around the chains and his sneakered feet kicked lightly against the sand. His dark gaze fixed on the school and the memories it held.
Sarah approached wordlessly and sat down on the swing on the right side of Morgan. She studied him for a moment then waited for him to acknowledge her presence.
Ten minutes later Morgan cleared his throat and turned. His eyes were red rimmed.
"I-I haven't been ducking you on purpose."
Sarah nodded. "I know."
"I just didn't want to talk to anyone….after Ellie told me I didn't want to believe it….but after seeing her I knew it was….."Morgan swallowed hard and continued as he looked down at his feet. "S-she said you were there….."
Sarah quickly blinked away the memory of the explosion before it surfaced. She fell back on the cover story as she had already done so many times before.
"Yeah….."Sarah replied quietly. "He called and wanted me to meet him for dinner so I met him at the address of his last install. Then followed him to the restaurant. We were going down one of the canyon roads and….and…"She sniffled."..the cops think the brakes went out….it all happened so fast, Morgan…..one minute everything was fine the next…."
Morgan kicked the sand. "I-I'm a coward, Sarah….he kept me from confronting those guys…..saved my neck again….I was so wrapped up in the Anna thing…couldn't see past my own ego…."
Sarah heard the hitch in his voice and she reached over and gently took his right hand. She wished she could tell Morgan that Chuck had saved his life.
Wished she could tell him what a hero Chuck had been that day and all the days previous.
"You're human, Morgan."Sarah began softly. "Chuck was protecting you because that's what he did….his family meant everything to him. You were family to him, don't ever forget that."
Morgan nodded not trusting his voice his vision blurred. He felt Sarah stand and pull him into an embrace.
He didn't know how long they stood there.
All Morgan knew was that the world was a lot more empty than it had been the day before.
No girlfriend.
No best friend.
How could things change so fast?
*********
Devon stepped out of the shower, toweled off and got dressed. He opted for a light blue t-shirt and sweats thinking he might get a run in while Ellie slept.
As he opened the door Devon heard loud clanking noises coming from the kitchen. He peaked in the bedroom as he passed and saw the bed was empty.
"Babe?"Devon called as he crossed the living room.
Ellie glanced briefly up from the large mixing bowl, spatula in hand.
"Hon, if you're hungry I would've fixed you something."Devon stated gently as he entered the kitchen and gently placed an arm around his fiancé's shoulders
Ellie began whipping the batter her voice soft and barely audible. "I promised I'd make Chuck cupcakes…..last week….I promised…."
Devon's heart broke once more. "Oh babe…."
Ellie began to spoon the batter into a pan only to have it tip off the counter and splatter to the floor at their feet.
"Damn it."The young woman cursed as she bent down to pick up the pan.
As she reached the pan her vision blurred with tears and her hands shook. Ellie felt her knees buckle and she crumpled the rest of the way to the tiled floor.
Devon was instantly beside Ellie pulling her into his arms leaning them back against the cabinet below the sink.
"I-I was too busy, Devon."Ellie whispered as her fiancé tightened his embrace. "Between work and planning for the wedding I never got around to baking them……how could I not find the time? How…."
Ellie's voice broke and she turned and buried her face in Devon's t-shirt. Devon pulled her onto his lap and began to rock her gently.
As he rubbed soothing circles on Ellie's back Devon wished and not for the first time that he could do more.
But he knew there was nothing else he could do but be there for her.
Still it didn't feel like enough, not nearly enough.
********
"Hey, dude, you okay?"
A group of teenagers with skateboards peered down at the still body that was sprawled on gravel near a palm tree.
"Think he's dead?"
"Got to be."
"Don't wanna stick around to find out, leave it for the cops."
"He's breathin', can't leave him here."
"Probably just a drunk."
"Threads are too nice."
"Call 911 and let's go."
A red haired boy shook his head as he pulled out his cell phone.
"Look at his arm, man, not supposed to bend that way."
"Not our business if somebody worked him over."
"We're gonna be late, let's go."
"We're near my Dad's clinic."The red haired boy replied. "Help me get him there."
