Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Author's Note:

It's been too long since my last update but here goes the much awaited installment of the story. A million thanks to the super beta phnxgrl for coming thru again for me. All those who shared their thoughts for Chapters 1-3 may they be constructive criticisms or compliments I appreciate them all.

Chapter 4

Do you ever wish you had a second chance to meet someone again for the first time? He knew the girl. He's smart. He never forgets a face. Let's face it he never forgets anything. As he gazed at the woman his mother wanted him to meet.

March 26, 2008
4:32 PM
Echo Park, Los Angeles
Case Woodcombe-Bartowski
Living Room

This will be the longest summer of his life.

He just turned 22 well last year technically he will turn 23 this September, not to mention just got out of medical school and was able to pass the board exams for physician practice with flying colors and he needed break. More of like a stag party before getting married. This is his stag party or bachelor's party which will sound more appropriate before he marries his job and embrace the profession of medicine.

There came Ellie, Devon then the Doctors without Borders thing.

He wanted a break, a clean slate before he spends his life saving people's life and joining his sister and the good captain was really not a good idea and he was really not that happy with the Bryce seeing Jill thing, it left about a bad taste on his tongue whenever he thinks about so he needed a distraction.

A real good one.

And leaving him alone in Los Angeles is not really a good idea for his sister. She already had a painted picture that one of these days if he would not come with them he would just sulk about Jill all summer and will walk straight Jill and embarrass himself. Not a pretty picture if you ask him not that he denied it. His sister just knew him too well.

And so he then agreed to the Doctors without Borders Project of his sister and his awesome boyfriend (pun intended) asked him to. Besides he's not doing anything too important during that so yes that is just what he needed. It may not be the bachelor party to medicine-hood that he is looking for but if he is gonna do this for the majority part of his adulthood what better day to start than with his summer off of some sort.

And off he agreed to fly to Bogota.

Chuck looked at the woman coming closer to him. How could he forget her? He can never forget that is the problem. She had haunted him all that summer plus beyond.

She was the girl in Bogota who haunted him to this very day. never knew her name no but now he going to learn it.

April 2, 2008
6:34 AM
Los Angeles California
Bob Hope International Airport
Boarding Area

"Chuck can you at least please pretend you are happy with this trip? That this is not suicide or anything of the same impact? Come on it will just be only 6 weeks. They even have internet there." Ellie spoke talking to her brother who walked way too slow for her comfort. He grumbled about the fact about cutting his summer vacation too early.

"Ellie, when you asked me to joined you in doctors without borders thingy you may have forgotten to mention that you already bought me tickets. You have kidnapped me from the guy's night out." Chuck pointed out.

"It was just you and Morgan, some junk food and video games. Duck hunt Chuck? Really?" Ellie said exasperated at her little brother.

"Morgan and I are biological males. Therefore guys bond over things like Duck Hunt! I just thought we wouldn't leave this early. Like maybe even after Morgan's birthday on the 26th." he answered as he was a fixing his back pack with half the size of his torso after having it inspected by the airport security officials.

"Chuck, there is a yellow fever outbreak there, Columbia also have a civil war sort of tension in Quinto. They needed volunteers and I figured out you weren't even ready for Africa. This was a much safer choice for us." she answered as her boyfriend did all the talking for the private jet. The one they were taking that would land them in the capital of Columbia.

"Come on sis, you know I am just joking around. Though some notice would be nice. But hey it's you, me and Devon plus an unknown archipelago with lots of terrorists then there's a mosquito related epidemic without video games. What more could a Guy want? It's gonna be fun." he said in an obvious tone letting Ellie know that he had gone willing with them. He was with them.

He did not know how far or how long the flight was. Liked he said earlier he was kidnapped from his night out with Morgan. They were playing since 8AM yesterday. His sister grabbed him then forced him to pack around 11 in the evening. He fell asleep while packing and awoke up 4AM to start again. He was really dragging and found himself barely making it to the airport. The panic attacks were the added bonus.

Since airports are not really one of the top 100 places he wanted be.

1.) There were too many lights.

2) Then there were too many open spaces.

3) Lastly there were too many people.

Ellie knew he would be scared due people passing him. So why did she insist? This stupid reaction was something he wanted to get rid. He noticed he always flinched when people he didn't know were close to him. It drove him crazy. If there was just another way to Columbia perhaps maybe through teleportation he thought. No, that is not happening anytime. He would have to suck it up and deal with all the craziness.

Back to the present time Chuck was recovering from that memory. He looked around a bit disoriented. Then he locked on to her. Words left him. The world tilted a little off center.

He tried to break out of his reverie. He knew he was bordering unreasonable then crazy not to mention stupid. It happened awhile ago. Things change don't they? Unfortunately memories don't especially with his brain which never forgot anything. He watched her as she made her way through the walkways. She was the definition of grace and elegance. The beauty she possessed that made his heart sing and eyes hurt. It was blinding.

She looks way much better with her eyes wide open.

And of course those eyes were blue like faded denims. They were timeless.

Just like how he imagined it. That or he is just probably dreaming while he is standing up in a nearly drunken haze because of too much fatigue from work. Then there is the stress related encounter from Bryce F-cking Larkin. Well, he is not keeping his hopes up. But he had to give it to his subconscious. All the details were there to the tee. It's just like he was in a twilight zone.

He wondered how he looked like in the perspective of his mother. The last time he remembered she was about to let him meet someone from the agency. He must have spaced out or something, he will just have to apologize for his actions later.

And after all of this he is just going to crawl in his bed...and uh get some well deserved sleep.

Until he realized that she was standing in front of him with his mother sitting. He found himself standing recognizing the lady who joined them. He could swear he was in a different dimension. He noticed his lips twitching in what only he can deduced as a smile. To be really really honest he would like to come up with a greeting that would make him sound cool, composed and even slightly just a teeny tiny bit confident. That was not to be.

"Are you alright?" He asked out of nowhere.

He noticed the cut on her bottom lip and in her left eyebrow was still weeping.

"What?" She asked raising her uninjured eyebrow high. Her tone and manner was asking closer to what the hell are you talking about than thank you for your concern.

"Uh... Your lip...ouch and your eyebrow, if you want I can take a look at it." He said as he fumbled over the right words. He is so good with words he should write epic poetry or jingles for cat food commercials NOT!

Chuck wiped his hand somewhere on his jeans because his palms are sweaty. Too moist and palms should not have sweat glands. It was one thing he would like to talk to the maker about on another day. He reached his hand toward her. He was concentrating with all the confidence left in his body. It was a last ditch effort to salvage an unsalvageable situation. It's not every day he would meet her for the second time.

Since he was determined to speak rationally in her presence he started with the basic.

"Chuck Bartowski." He managed to squeak out. He had swallowed an unknown lump which was lodged in his throat. It created difficulties to speak.

"Sarah Walker" she said as he took her hand. His eyes blinked too many times and far too quickly for his comfort.

Sarah watched Chuck act as if she'd meant to hit him. That was crazy to think that since he was the one who held out his hand first. She was just actually trying to be polite in meeting him halfway to have a handshake. But his body visibly tensed. He acted more of like a ball of tension as if he was going to get burnt.

She wouldn't hit him, ever. Not even if the circumstances asked her to do it.

Okay maybe she would consider breaking a finger or two if he made advances on her.

But somebody had. And that somebody did a number on him for he winced uncontrollably in face of a stranger. That was clear. So it was the heat that rushed to his face knowing his involuntary gesture had just given him away. He was wearing UCLA shirt light blue and yellow with a black hoodie with black denim and a pair of sneakers. He was not bringing the doctor vibe.

Feeling sick for whatever he'd been through, sicker still for reminding him of it even for only a second she stepped back.

"I'm sorry. Must have been the caffeine too many coffees today." he said breaking the awkward silence as he stepped back.

She nodded her lips quirking showing a little smile without revealing too much. This guy was interesting enough to get her attention.

Frost interrupted. "Chuck stand straighter."

Chuck turned to look at his mother still seated.

"I can take it from here. You've done your part, Mother. You can now go on then continue whatever it is you do. Go save the world we'll save Bryce Larkin." he said we a lopsided grin with a little mirth in his eyes. It was more of like they were sharing a private joke.

To her surprise, the all tough exterior of Frost melted as she returned the same heartfelt smile. Standing she squeezed his arms. Then she turned to Sarah with the same smile saying:

"I pulled some strings. Your car is waiting for you outside. Your apartment will be set later tonight. In the mean time you can stay with Charles before we finish the paper work." Frost said then she turned her attention to her son. "You take care of her Charles. Stay to yourself she pretty much knows two hundred ways to kill you. Better watch your back." she said jokingly to her son.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence mom. Wouldn't dream of it." then he gulped. "I better bring her to Malibu, before Ellie gets the wrong idea."

"I'll let her know." Frost said.

Then she gave the key to Sarah by tossing it to her. With ninja like accuracy she caught it effortlessly. She graced Chuck with a smile. It was very kind of Frost to ship her car in such short notice.

Chuck, the ever sweet caring guy as she think that he is went again for another hug and whispered something to his mom that were too soft even for her spy senses. Frost's eyes were almost glassy. She tried to hold back the tears. This kept them together a little longer as each tried to compose themselves. It was an odd moment for Sarah. She felt a little out of place. Things around her had been pretty rough lately but with a new mission. A new cover she could start over again. Just like nothing happened. That is what she loved most about her job. From the fact that she gets a fresh start every now and then. She goes to tons of places which definitely suits her. It's way better than the Army.

He reluctantly receded from his mother grasp then at a distance he smiled again at her. Gad he was adorable and that smile should be illegal. His smile was soft and warm but there was something more to it. She did not mean to pry, because it is none of her business. There was something in his gazes that seemed detached. She was not sure about it really.

They walked outside the parking lot. She noticed him stopping then letting her go a few steps ahead of him. He told her something that she wasn't able to get at first.

"Sorry about what happened earlier. It wasn't very manly and I was a very bad place." Chuck said apologizing.

She nodded then he followed her outside. She heard him mutter something about being in an open space grasping a few quick breaths. He was also sweating profusely.

"You okay?" Sarah inquired.

"No, I am not okay actually. Thanks for asking. I am really just not comfortable in open spaces. But I'll live." Chuck said.

She stopped walking and tried to assess him. Looking at him he smiled sheepishly and she pointed to where her car was located.

"Nice ride." Chuck said getting in to the passenger seat.

"That is an understatement. This is the reason why I keep saving the world." She jokingly answers him, she doesn't know where this is all coming from but she feels at ease with this stranger. She thinks he wasn't cut out for this life but if he is the son of Frost and the Legendary Orion then it must be in the blood then.

"A woman with a good taste in cars, you're a keeper." Chuck joked.

She smiles genuinely on that one though things as of the moment are far too early to decide on anything. She wasn't anything close to being a keeper. All her life is pack within her suitcase, no luxury except maybe cars. Everything in her life was disposable including her name. It is better that way. She has far too much emotional baggage. Why add more?

Well then there is the sweater. But hey she can have that one as an exception.

April 13, 2008
10:34 AM
Villa de Leyva Community Clinic
Bogota Columbia

It took almost 7 hours from LA to Columbia and it had been more than 10 days since he had last seen Ellie and Awesome. They had different assignments and since he is still an intern still on probation. He had passed his board with limited time and experience in the medical field. He became the errand boy for the place.

Nurses were scarce. He counted only 3 of them during day shift then 2 on the night shift thus making him an honorary Nurse. Comfort was really a little bit of an issue. There was a sleeping tent with no comfy beds. The showers were primitive. The there was the ratio of patient to doctor which was about 94:1.

He barely had time to sleep. He quickly got used to that. He knew when he entered this profession sleep would be an issue. Besides there were only nightmares, the soaked shirt then there was the scared out of his wits every time he awoke. So sleep who needs it!

Today...Well he almost lost count as to how many patients he had checked and treated. Some of them were children suffering malnutrition then had tapeworms. He had a couple of stroke victims, a diabetic in the midst of losing his toes, a soldier shot by a rebelling party, and a gangbanger who'd been shot up. Then there were two drunks, a couple of stomach aches and a partridge in a pear tree.

But there was suddenly a whining noise in the sky and smoke lots of smoke as Chuck watch with an almost fascination the Huey falling out of the sky. The fireball with erupted left a crater the wreckage was burning. There was not much to do with those people. Chuck looked around and heard a groan. Someone had bailed before it exploded. A woman in a French uniform was laying flat on the ground. Chuck's expertise discovered she was in very bad shape and ordered the workman to help him transport her to the clinic.

Chuck was the only doctor on call so he immediately scrubbed up and with the local volunteers he had to conduct an emergency bowel retraction. The patient's bowels were twisted and the broken ribs were not helping her situation either. She had lost a lot of blood. The bowels were perforated. It must have been a shotgun blast to the abdomen. Chuck removed the damaged bowels and sutured the remaining pieces together. Dropping the shredded bowels in the tray a number of bb's appeared. Chuck knew those were shotgun pellets. Closing her up Chuck only gave the woman a 40% chance of making it through the night.

He never left the side, after the 3 hour surgery to save the patient and doing a couple of autopsy as well to find the extend of the damages and if there was a foul play involved. Since he was the only one available other doctors have their plates full with other patients in the community clinic with Malaria outbreak and other stuff.

He coordinated with the local police and they weren't able to identify the woman, it will take at least 3 days to request for the flight details of the Huey but from attire and looks of the passengers they were a medic team from UN headed somewhere South America to do voluntary work or so he thought.

The badges, ID's were burnt to crisps pieces no dog tags or anything. Though he was pretty glad the woman last night survived, though the injuries were still extensive and she is still unconcious it was a lot better than having 40% of surviving.

It was a tiring shift, he had been standing from pure adrenaline and junk food for the past 20 hours, no sleep, no bath he was feeling old, musty and falling apart. Things around him are getting a little out of hand he had been literally jumping from one patient to another.

He ran to ICU to check on the patient from last night. For reasons he don't know he was worried to death by the unknown person. She has a blond hair, he was torn if her eyes were blue or gray the last time they checked it was grayish but he doubted it, maybe just lack sleep.

As he entered the room. He spoked rhetorically. If he will hold his thought for one more minute he will literally explode. Aside from patients he hasn't talked to a single soul that would sympathize with him. He was particulary needy and clingy by nature but you get the picture.

He sat on the good side of the patient on the stool with his sterilized scrubs.

"I have known you forever haven't I?"

No response.

Chuck would really liked to hold her hand but there were no parts of her that don't have wounds and gashes so he held his ground. For some unknown reasons he felt something tugging on his chest everytime he is near her if only he could have her name or have him look at her for a second it will be all worth it.

With parting thoughts he motioned his way up the stool leaving his sweater wrapped additionally aside from the hospital blanket on his patient.

He murmured " Please get well soon, I really don't want to leave you but I will be back I promise. I will just get coffee and maybe some power nap to get me functional again."

However, Come morning she had disappeared. A truck came in the middle of the night to transport her away. The locals told him later.

And so was his sweater.

Please let me know what you think! Cheers! Until the next chapter.