Disclaimer: Just as I've said in every chapter of every fic (except that one time when I forgot) I still don't own Chuck. That is all. You may read on now.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for the support, and I'm happy you're still enjoying the story. The reviews were awesome as always…and it really did motivate me to finish this chapter up sooner. I know it's only a day early, but I had most of it done on Saturday I was so excited by the response (hint, hint). Anyway, thank you ever so much the lovely and talented Yokaputo and the very funny, always interesting kroblues for their work betaing this chapter for me. Couldn't do it without you guys. That's all I guess, please enjoy Sarah vs. the Alternate Universe chapter 10.

Cast in order of appearance

Chuck Bartowski…...…..Zachary Levi
Jill Roberts………..Jordana Brewster
Sarah Walker…..Yvonne Strahovski

Buenos Aires, Argentina
April, 2005

Once again, the team of Bartowski and Roberts –known as the Burton couple under their current cover- had once again been assigned a very dangerous and very difficult mission. Once again a group of people who would see harm brought on the United States had been the target of one of their missions. And once again, the would-be terrorists had fallen to the skill and teamwork of Mr. and Mrs. Burton.

But much to the dismay of both of the partners, that teamwork had ended with the mission. They had been a "real couple" for almost eight months now. The passion and fire of their relationship in the early days had driven both of them to wonder why they'd fought the attraction they'd both felt almost immediately for the first five months.

Those five months had been hell. More experienced agents would have just screwed one another long ago and gotten the sexual tension out of the way. But neither Chuck nor Jill had the record of service to fall back on should a romantic entanglement between them have come to light. So they'd both ignored it for as long as they could. And that fight had taken its toll on both of them.

Chuck turned to alcohol to answer his frustrations. Whenever they'd get too close, and Jill was the one to pull away, Chuck would get drunk. Jill took her frustration out with anger toward Chuck. When they'd come close to slipping and it was Chuck to say no, she'd verbally lash out at him and try to make him feel as bad about himself as his rejection had made her feel.

The worst part of those particular problems was that they mixed very poorly with one another. Soon, Chuck's drinking had become his response not only to Jill's spurning of his advances but also the route he took to recover from Jill's anger. And Jill was by then getting angry at Chuck not only when he turned her down, but for his budding alcoholism. It had become a very vicious cycle.

But despite the problems they had working with one another on a personal level, their mounting list of accomplishments as a team had kept a splitting of the duo from being an option. And so it was one day back in late August when Chuck resolved to work things out on some level with Jill. His too good to be an agent charm and disarming smile had proven to draw Jill out of her shell, and the agents came to an understanding that day.

Their new understanding had been spoken with a kiss, and sealed with the most passionate sex either of them had ever experienced. And while that newness remained, there had been a solid uptick in both of their dispositions. But this was simply a small reprieve from the deeper issues between them that still existed.

After about a month of good times and shared joy, Jill's anger came back. She had been left out of certain details of a mission and felt frustrated and underappreciated. And she'd been unable to keep those feelings out of their bedroom that night. Of course, the return of Jill's verbal attacks on Chuck was soon followed by Chuck's return to his dependence on booze to deal with the pain.

And that was the cycle they'd still found themselves on these seven months later. Chuck had referred to it as the "Fight and fuck," routine. Jill had taken that opportunity to remind him that it would have to be "Fuck and then fight," since Chuck's response to their arguments and the "whisky dick" that came with it wouldn't allow for things to go the other way. That had led to yet another fight.

Deep down, Chuck knew that he loved Jill. He also knew that she loved him, but the pain the brought on one another had been ripping them apart inside.

"The first rule of being a spy…never fall in love." That was what his instructor, Agent Montgomery had preached to Chuck during seduction training.

Every part of this job was perfectly suited for him, except that one. When Graham had asked Chuck if he was ready to do something to save his own life, he'd gladly come along. He'd given up so much for the "greater good" but that last shred of humanity in him –the part of him that felt emotion- seemed like too much to sacrifice. Chuck decided that the CIA would just have to forgive him this one transgression. He'd always love Jill, no matter what happened.

Chuck's Hotel
New York, New York
October 31, 2007

Chuck was stirred from his drunken stupor by a pounding coming from his door. Seeing that there was still light coming through the small crack in the shades covering the window, he decided it was still too early for trick-or-treaters. Maybe it's some east coast kids that haven't adjusted to the time yet. Sober Chuck would have realized how ridiculous that thought was. Unfortunately, sober Chuck was nowhere to be found.

"I don't have any candy," he slurred while throwing the door open. The person before him though wasn't a kid looking for sweets, however. The pounding had apparently been coming from his asset. And she looked distressed. Dammit, I didn't want her to see me like this. I hope she's not in trouble; I'm in no shape to protect her.

"Sarah? What are you doing here?" Chuck had tried to sound as normal as he possibly could. The scrunched face that the blonde made at his effort was evidence that he'd not succeeded.

"Chuck, I-" Before Sarah could say anymore, the door was pushed the rest of the way open, revealing the very reason Chuck had been drinking in the first place.

"Hello, Chuck. I see some things never change." He glared at his former partner's jab at his condition. But her presence there, along with Sarah caused an unexpected feeling to wash over him. His drunken self pity subsided and he was instead overcome with a need to protect his asset; to protect his friend. Agent instincts kicking in despite the amount of alcohol he'd consumed, he quickly pulled his gun from his waistband.

"Jill, I swear, if you hurt her…" He let his words of warning hang in the air. The implied threat didn't seem to faze the brunette.

"You'll what? Throw up on me? That is all you appear capable of at this time…Agent Bartowski."

"I'm not joking around here, Roberts," Chuck growled. "Give me one good reason I shouldn't drop you where you stand." His eyes and his aim never left his ex-girlfriend. He was prepared to end her life for real this time if she was even the smallest threat to Sarah.

"Because I didn't go rogue. The Intersect was a mission. Operation Sandstorm." Both agents turned in time to see Sarah's eyes roll back in her head. She began swaying slightly on her feet.

A disco ball
A folder marked "Top Secret" and labeled "Sandstorm"
Jill's passport
Mission specs
A disco ball

"What did you see Sarah?" Chuck let his eyes drift to his asset briefly before sharply turning his stare back to Jill.

"Oh, um…yeah, she's right. It was a mission." Hesitantly, Chuck let his gun fall to his side.

"Chuck, I never wanted to leave you like I did. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I still love you." She paused hoping to see some sign of returned sentiments in his eyes. For once he seemed to be masking any emotion from her. It was probably more shock than anything that was causing his hidden feelings. "And I need your help Chuck. And Sarah needs our help. If I'm here, Fulcrum will find me…find Sarah."

Suddenly, regardless of what help she may need, Sarah had come to feel like a definite third wheel. It appeared to her that her college roommate and her CIA handler only had eyes for one another in that moment. It was a very uncomfortable position to be in.

"I'll just be going," she muttered as she turned to leave the two lovers to get reacquainted. It took the spies a moment to register what had been said. When it occurred to them that Sarah would be alone with Fulcrum possibly knowing who she was, or at least that she had some connection to the Intersect. They both knew that they had to find her, and quick.

"I'll go," Chuck said quickly as he began to move past Jill.

"No, Chuck. You're still drunk. Let me go and you stay here and drink some coffee or something to sober up." Admitting that she was right, Chuck quietly acquiesced.

Just as Jill was about to shut the door and leave, Chuck spoke. "I'm sorry too Jill. I'm sorry for everything." The expression on his face was one of hurt and regret. Jill nodded in acceptance of his apology and stood up on her toes to brush a soft kiss over his lips. It still felt nice to kiss Jill, but it wasn't until he did that Chuck realized that it just wasn't the same. It wasn't the same as it had been when they'd kissed before, and it certainly wasn't the same as the times he'd kissed Sarah. He knew it wasn't the time to bring that up however. "Hey Jill," he said, stopping her from walking away. She tuned to see what he wanted. "You should check the park. It's where she always goes when something's on her mind." Jill acknowledged his suggestion and took her leave to find her old friend.

Sarah's spot
Central Park
New York, New York
October 31, 2007

Sarah stared off into the open expanse in front of her, reminded once again that it was the unusual lack of traffic that drew her here when something was heavy on her mind or heart. That day, however, even her favorite place in the world wasn't enough to ease her burdens; they were too many in number.

It was all Jill's fault yet again. Things had been going great between her and Chuck. Okay, maybe not great; things could have been better. It was clear that they had feelings for one another deeper than friendship, but that didn't change that what they'd worked out was good. Sarah, having not had much in the way of family in years, had come to rely on her friends as a surrogate family. Putting Chuck in that category was a big deal, regardless of what category she wanted to put him in.

But then Jill came back and all of a sudden, it was like Sarah didn't exist in Chuck's world. He was still worried about the Intersect to be sure; it was, after all, his job to protect that stupid thing. But when he'd locked gazes with Jill, it was as if Sarah Walker the person ceased to exist. And she couldn't blame him for feeling like that. Jill had come back from the dead and proclaimed her undying love for him. What was a nerdy pharmaceutical assistant who was willing to take whatever her offered when compared to the beautiful super spy chick that demanded his everything?

Sarah stared down at her open hands, deep in thought and self loathing. When she looked back up, she no longer saw open space. She saw…

"Agh," she gasped at the sudden appearance of the woman in front of her. "Jill! How about a little warning next time?"

"Sorry," Jill said laughing. "Sudden entrances are sort of an occupational hazard."

Sarah shot her an incredulous look before a reply. "What do you want Jill?" she asked through hooded eyes.

Jill sighed. "Sarah, I think there are some things we need to talk about. There are some things you need to know."

"Why don't you start with why you got me kicked out of school?" Sarah shot back.

"Fine, if that's where you want to start, we will." Sarah looked surprised, which she was. Had it not been such a disturbing topic, she may have been pleasantly so. "Sarah, I," Jill paused, not sure of how much she should tell her friend. "I was recruited into the agency during our junior year. During my training, I became privy to certain information."

"Like how to be an ass to your friend?" Jill may have been trying to come clean, but for her years of suffering, Sarah wasn't going to let her off easy.

"Like the fact that the agency wanted to recruit you, Sarah." Sarah looked at the other woman with shock. This was certainly new information, but what did it have to do with why Jill framed her for cheating. "Do you remember the exam that you were accused of cheating on?"

"Of course I remember it. Dr. Flemming's class on memory and retention."

"The exam that you took in that class was a CIA front. He was a recruiter for the agency, and they were looking for a candidate that could possibly absorb and retain the Intersect." The wheels started turning in Sarah's head as she began to process this wealth of knowledge she was gaining.

"I couldn't let them take you. I couldn't let them make you into something else; into one of us." Jill spoke of her and her colleagues as if they were the worst thing in the world. Compared to Sarah, at least in Jill's mind, they were. "Sarah, you're too good of a person for this work. I couldn't let them change that. The world needs Sarah Walker."

Sarah was touched in a lot of ways. What Jill said brought up one very big question, however. "Then why did you send me the Intersect now? Why bring me into this life, and now without even the training I would have gotten the other way?"

Jill's eyes dropped to the ground. She wanted to make sure she explained this correctly, without being condescending, or giving away too much information. "Sarah, I had to send it to someone that would know what to do with it. I had to send it to someone that I knew would always do the right thing. You, Sarah, always do the right thing. You're the best person I know."

"What about Chuck?" Jill was taken aback at the sudden change in the topic of the conversation.

"Umm….Chuck?"

"Yes, why don't you trust Chuck? You said you love him. Was that a lie, Jill? If you love him, certainly you could trust him with the Intersect."

"I do love Chuck. And I do trust him, but there are more factors at play here, Sarah. Some of them I can't tell you about, and I'm sorry. But I knew that you were the right person to send it to. And I knew Chuck would find you."

"And Forrest?" Sarah asked.

"Well, I didn't exactly plan on her being here," Jill laughed. "But you're still here, so she must be doing something right." Suddenly, something clicked in Sarah's mind and she was able to piece together certain things that disturbed her.

"She's the one that shot you, isn't she?" Sarah looked on appraisingly.

"Yeah, she is. But she was just doing her job Sarah. She though I was a rogue agent. It was the right thing to do at the time." Jill seemed to struggle to admit that.

"You're not mad that she shot you?" asked Sarah skeptically.

"Oh, I'm kind of pissed off about having a hole in my chest, and I don't really like her in general, but I lived. I would have done the same thing in her shoes." Sarah accepted that answer as she figured she wouldn't get much more from Jill on the subject.

"And you and Chuck? What's going to happen there?"

"I don't know, Sarah. It's…complicated." Sarah looked at her former roommate with a puzzled expression.

"How is it complicated? You said you love him. And from the way he looks at you, I know that he loves you. He's a great guy, Jill. What's holding you back?" Jill then realized that her friend had developed feelings for her boyfriend…or ex-boyfriend, or whatever the hell Chuck was to her. The brunette decided to play it straight with the other woman.

"I do love him, Sarah. But we don't really work together very well. There are a lot of issues between us. Some of them you know about, and some of them you don't. Plus I need someone here looking out for you that I know can protect you, right?" She said the last part with a smile that was intended to hide the pain of the admission of what would never be between her and Chuck.

"Jill, if you two can make each other happy, you should be together. Safe or not, I couldn't stand to think that I was getting in the way of two of my friends' happiness." The last part of Sarah's statement caused Jill's eyes to shoot up in evaluation of the blonde. She didn't see any sign of dishonesty within those striking blue orbs.

"You still think of me as a friend?"

Sarah heaved a deep sigh. "I do, Jill. I still don't like what happened back at Columbia, but I understand why you did it. And you've been really honest with me today. In fact, I wouldn't have still been angry at you up until today had I not still considered you a friend."

"That means a lot, Sarah. Thank you." The two friends hugged one another as peace had finally been reached.

"So what's next for Jill Roberts?" Sarah asked, finally breaking the silence that had formed.

"I go back to hunting Fulcrum. They think I'm the Intersect Sarah. That's why they kept me alive. As long as I'm out there, hunting them and staying free, it will protect you." Sarah nodded in understanding. She was sad that her friend would have to undertake such a lonely assignment, but I felt good to have Jill helping her out once more.

As Sarah stood to walk away, Jill had but one more thing to tell her. "I really enjoyed our talk today, Sarah."

Sarah looked back at the other woman as a smile began to creep onto her face. "Yeah," she agreed. "Me too."

Chuck's Hotel
New York, New York
October 31, 2007

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?"

"Why don't you ever give up?" Sarah had been pestering him about Jill for almost an hour now.

"Look, I know I've said this, but she loves you. You love her. What is there to think about? You should be with her so you can both be happy!" Sarah knew that she was yelling at this point, but if Chuck would just stop being so frustrating and do what she knew he should do, the yelling wouldn't have happened.

"And I know I've said this, but my answer stands. I have my assignment and it is here, not with Jill." Chuck really didn't want to tell her the real reason he wouldn't even consider leaving, but if she didn't stop with her insistence, it looked like he was going to have to.

"Chuck, you deserve to be happy. You both do. And I want both of you to be happy." Her yelling had ceased and now her voice was gentle, caring. Dammit, I can't keep this from her when she looks at me like that.

"I'm happier here with you," he admitted. Their eyes met, and Sarah saw for the very first time what she'd wanted to see from him all along. It was true, and it was real. The caring that she'd sometimes thought he had for her was finally on full display.

A/N: Thank you again for reading everyone. I hope you like how the Jill thing was resolved, and how much better my couple communicates than the canon Charah, lol. I look forward to your feedback, and you guys are awesome. Peace.