Author's Note: Writing an Ellie/Sarah scene has turned out to be harder than I thought, it's going to take a bit more time. This chapter is a bit of revisionist history, just because any other way seemed hollow. Here we go:


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Bygones

Part II

Woodcomb Residence

August 28, 2016

7:45 pm

"You know it makes sense, Chuck."

"It's not that I don't appreciate the offer, and I can see your point but I think it's too soon for something like that."

"There's nothing that says if you move in with me you have to move into my bedroom. I do have a spare room, you know." Sarah turned on the couch to make sure the others were still out of ear-shot then turned back to Chuck. "But for the record, I think the too soon card flew out the window after the things you did to me the other day." She reached over and squeezed his thigh.

"Shhh! My niece is right over there," he whispered back quickly and removed her hand.

"Relax, Chuck, no one heard or saw," she spoke normally.

Chuck looked over to assure himself. "Okay, so maybe that wasn't exactly taking things slow, but it's not like you left me with much of a choice with the way you were acting and what you were not wearing," he swung back.

"Need I remind you, you said you needed to be comfortable touching me again?" She raised an eyebrow. "What better way to deal with it than to just take the bull by the horn, so to speak?" She smirked. "Besides, no one forced you to do anything, you could have said no and stopped at any time."

"No, I couldn't," he hissed. "Eight years, Sarah, and you look like you. I may have some issues with touching people but I'd have to be dead not to... you know," his gaze flicked to the kitchen where Clara was sitting on the counter, watching Ellie as she cooked.

"Hey, I haven't exactly been out on the dating scene these past several years either," she countered.

"Well, then, you know exactly what I'm talking about," he said, still trying to defend his actions.

"Yes, I do. But look at it this way: by the end there, I think we cured you of this aversion of yours and all it took was a broken kitchen table, a defiled couch and a few rug burns. All in all, I think we came out on top... or at least, you did," she said, grinning.

"Would you please quit doing that," Chuck insisted. "And, again, sorry about the table... I guess I got a little carried away."

"I know. My backside still has the bruises to prove it," Chuck winced. "Don't worry, Chuck. They're the kind of bruises I don't mind getting." She chuckled. "Anyway, you put them there and you're the only one who's going to be seeing that particular area, so who cares?"

"I'm still getting you a new table."

"If you must," she acquiesced, "but I get to pick it out."

"I can live with that."

"Now, about my offer?"

"I'll think about it," Chuck proposed. "If I do this though, I'm taking the spare room... for now."

"That's fine."

"And I'll start paying rent as soon as I can."

"Chuck, I own the house," she shook her head. "And, even if I didn't, I'm the CFO of a fairly successful company, I'm okay in the money department," she assured him.

"I don't want to be a burden on you, Sarah. I'd like to contribute something."

"Oh, you'll definitely be contributing," she said suggestively, running a hand over the inside of his thigh, then instantly moving to poke him in the chest, "but you're not paying rent."

"Yes, I am."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I—" He was interrupted by a knock on the door. He muttered and got up to answer. "Oh. Hey, Casey. Come in."

Casey walked in, spotted Sarah sitting on the couch and smirked. "Walker."

"Casey," she greeted, confused at the weird look on his face.

"So... had any good talks lately?" Chuck elbowed him in the side. "Oomph!"

"What's going on?" She said looking between Chuck and Casey.

"Your boy toy here told me about you getting your head shrunk," Casey couldn't keep the smirk off his face. "Let me guess, daddy issues?"

"Sarah—"

"It's fine, Chuck. It's okay," she told him. "Yeah, Casey. I did get some therapy. And, you know what? I did have daddy issues to work out," she looked casually at him. "It was a very enlightening experience. You should try it sometime; you might resolve an issue or two of your own."

"Fat chance." He saw he wasn't going to get the rise out of her he was hoping for, so he let it drop. He turned to Chuck. "Thought you should know, since you're probably going to bug me about it anyway, I called her and we talked about some things."

"Okay." Chuck joined Sarah on the couch.

"She's flying out some time during the week. We're going to spend some time together and see how things go," he finished.

"Ilsa's coming?" Sarah joined in.

Casey raised an eyebrow at Chuck. "Geez, Bartowski, can't you keep your mouth shut about anything?"

"Sorry, Casey but I promised her, no lies, no secrets," Chuck shrugged.

"Not when it comes to my business," he replied.

"Relax, Casey. I think what Chuck did for you is sweet and I would have helped if he'd told me earlier," she said taking hold of Chuck's arm.

He grunted. "You two deserve each other," he said putting on an expression of distaste.

Ellie walked in from the kitchen with Clara in her arms. "I thought I heard you. Are you staying for dinner?" She looked over at Casey.

"Uh, I don't want to impose," he answered.

"No imposition. I made plenty."

"I guess I'm staying, then."

"Okay." Ellie put Clara down. "Go wake up daddy. Tell him it's time for dinner." Clara nodded and raced off to Devon and Ellie's room.

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Woodcomb Residence

August 28, 2016

8:30 pm

They were half-way done with dinner when there was a knock at the door.

Ellie looked over at Chuck. That wasn't Morgan's usual knock. "Were you expecting someone?"

"No," he said putting down his fork. "But I'll go get it." Chuck stood and walked to the door. A smile came over his face when he saw who it was. "Dad! You're here," he exclaimed. He turned slightly and looked at the woman he hadn't seen in over twenty years. "Hey, mom," he greeted her in a more subdued manner.

The others heard Chuck's outburst and looked at each other, surprised by the arrival. Ellie, not having heard Chuck greet their second guest, got up and headed to the door. "Hey, da—" She stopped in her tracks when she saw who was standing in her doorway. She was older and looked worn, but it was definitely her mother. Ellie's mind was reeling; she didn't know how to react. She'd never expected to see her mother again. Devon came to join her; he was holding Clara in his left arm.

"May we come in?" His dad spoke up.

Chuck took in Ellie's demeanor and answered hesitantly, "Uh... sure, yeah. Of course, come in." He stood to the side and allowed them to enter.

"Mister Bartowski, welcome back," Devon greeted him. He then looked over to his companion. "Devon Woodcomb, nice t—" Ellie's hand suddenly pulling him back before he could offer a handshake caused Devon to stop talking. "Ellie?"

"Don't," she warned him, looking straight at her mother and father. Devon took a step back, ending up standing slightly behind his wife, completely confused by her behavior.

"What is she doing here?" She spoke coldly.

"Ellie, can you please—" Her dad started before he was interrupted.

"I asked you a question, dad."

Chuck decided to intervene. "Ellie, will you just—"

"Shut up, Chuck," she chastised him. Chuck did as he was told. "Well... I'm waiting."

"I'll tell you, but can we please sit down?" Her father asked hopefully. "It was a long flight, we're kind of tired."

Ellie crossed her arms, and gestured to the couch with her head.

Sarah and Casey had come over to see what was going on. As the others headed to the living room, she walked over to Chuck. "This seems like a family thing, I think it's time for Casey and me to leave."

Chuck looked over to Casey and then back to Sarah. "No, it's okay. You can stay."

"Are you sure?"

"I'd just end up telling you later anyway." He smiled and put his hands on her shoulder to assure her. "And I've kind of been meddling in Casey's family affairs; I think it's only fair."

Casey smirked. This looked like it was going to be good. "I'll just go grab a couple of chairs." It was obvious he wasn't planning on going anywhere.

Mary and Stephen Bartowski took a seat on the couch and sat quietly, waiting for a sign they could begin.

Ellie turned to Devon. "Can you please take Clara and put her to bed?"

Devon looked at her dubiously. "Are you sure?" He asked, sparing a glance at the people sitting on his couch.

"It'll be fine. I'll join you in a little bit," she replied. Devon nodded and turned to leave.

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Woodcomb Residence

August 28, 2016

10:02 pm

"Go on," Ellie prodded, having heard the story of her mom and dad's relationship. Chuck had joined his parents on the couch. Ellie sat in a chair in front of them. Casey and Sarah sat to the side, next to Chuck's end of the couch.

"It took her three months, but she managed to complete her mission," her dad continued, he'd been doing the talking as Mary just stared at the floor. "Then everything went to hell. Your mom didn't know this, but Volkoff kept the layout of his entire network stored on a computer. Whoever had that, had control of Volkoff Industries. His lieutenants began killing each other off for control and started hunting your mother. They thought she had taken the computer with her. The CIA got word and labeled your mother a traitor, they assumed she had turned. They wouldn't listen to me." He reached over and took her hand in his. Ellie took in the gesture. "So I took matters into my hands. I joined your mother. We went on the hunt for that computer. When we found it, we took apart the entire network, including the guys after your mom."

"But it was too late by then," Mary spoke for the first time. "I couldn't return home because the CIA was after me for treason and your dad couldn't come back to you and Chuck because now they were after him too, for his research."

"I told her I'd find a way to clear her name and we would go home together."

"Then we found out what happened with Chuck and decided he needed to find a way to help, so he came back."

"It took a lot longer than I thought but with Chuck running and everything that happened after, I finally saw the opening I needed to bring your mom back."

"Your father is an amazing man, Eleanor," Mary remarked. "He promised me he'd bring me home and now he has."

"I see," Ellie replied evenly. "Well, I'm glad you two are still so taken with one another," she smiled sweetly, "because you definitely deserve each other," she added bitterly.

"Ellie!"

"No, Chuck," she stopped him harshly. "You don't get to defend them. Not after what they did."

"Eleanor, please," her father implored.

She glared in response.

"Eleanor, calm down."

"You don't tell me what to do," she bit back at Mary.

"I am your mother and I can tell you whatever the hell I like!"

"You stopped being my mother the moment you chose your job over your children," she spit out. "Did you ever think of quitting and leaving that life behind? How about when you couldn't come back? Did it ever occur to you to tell dad to grab us and come join you? Of taking us and just disappearing so no one could find us?"

"It wasn't that simple."

"Yes, it was!" Ellie argued. "You two simply chose to keep playing your little spy games instead of taking care of the family you were responsible for!"

"Don't you dare talk to me that way in my house!"

"What house? You can't possibly mean this one," Ellie fired back. "This stopped being your house when I had to sell it to keep food on the table for Chuck and me. Not to mention clothes, doctor's bills and everything else I shouldn't have had to be responsible for!" Mary had nothing to say to that. "My husband and I bought this house, it belongs to us. We decide who we welcome in and who we don't." She took a breath to calm herself. "Now, I'm going to go check on my daughter. When I come back, I expect to see you gone, both of you," she said, looking at her parents.

"Ellie, you can't be serious," Chuck worked in.

"I will put up with those two because I think they can help you," she said looking over to Casey and Sarah, who were now looking uncomfortable in their seats. "But I want nothing to do with them. We didn't need them then, and I sure as hell don't need them now," she gazed unwaveringly into Chuck's eyes. "I'm not going to tell you what to do, but I will tell you I don't want them in this house." She turned and walked away, leaving behind a group of uncomfortable people unsure of what to do.

"Listen, guys," Chuck spoke to his parents. "I'm sure she'll come around eventually, but this is her home. I have to respect her wishes... I'm sorry," he said apologetically.

"It's okay, Charles," Stephen sighed as he stood and offered his hand to his wife. "She has every right to feel that way."

"I don't know about that," Mary muttered.

"Look, mom," Chuck instantly turned on her, "I forgave you because I'm part of your twisted world and I can see why you did what you did. After all, I left her behind too," he said. "But Ellie lives in the normal everyday world, where what you did is unforgivable. So understand this: she raised me, she was there for me when no one else was, she was the only family I had for a long time. Show her the respect she deserves or we're going to have a problem," Chuck finished deadly serious.

Mary saw the intensity in Chuck's eyes and only managed to nod her agreement because the shame she was feeling wouldn't let her say anything more.

Stephen put a hand on her back and gently directed her to the door. "We're going to check into a hotel. I'll talk to you tomorrow, son," he said crestfallen, realizing that everything that had been said to and about his wife held true for him.

"Good night, dad, mom," Chuck bade as the front door closed.

Casey crossed his right leg over his left, leaned back in his chair, and scratched a hand through his hair a couple of times. "Damn, Chuck. Your family is all kinds of screwed up," he opined offhandedly. Chuck blinked dumbly at that, then burst into a fit of laughter, followed by Casey and Sarah.

"Oh... man," he tried to catch his breath as he moved to the couch. "There is something seriously wrong with us."

"I've officially spent too much time around you... I think the stupid is sticking," Casey replied, trying to compose himself too.

"My therapist says it's good to be able to laugh at yourself," Sarah offered. Chuck and Casey looked at Sarah then each other and burst out laughing again. "He he," she mocked. "Shut up."

"I'm sorry, Sarah... I'm not laughing at you," Chuck managed to choke out.

"I am," Casey pointed out between fits of laughter, which caused Chuck to laugh harder.

"I'd hurt both of you if it wasn't for the fact that I'm actually the well-adjusted one in this room." She shook off their laughter.

"Ouch." Chuck put a hand over his chest.

Casey grunted. "It's been fun but I've got to go," he said as he checked the time and got up. "Tell your sister thank you for dinner." Chuck nodded.

"Good night, Casey." Sarah moved to sit next to Chuck.

Once he was gone, Sarah turned to Chuck. "I think I should get going too," she said. "It's kind of late and I work tomorrow."

"Okay," Chuck took a moment before he went on. "I'll do it."

"Do what?"

"I'll move in with you."

"What? Why?" She quickly clarified. "Not that I don't want you to, but what happened to it's too soon?"

Chuck let out a long breath. "You saw what happened with Ellie and my parents," he started. "I'm planning on starting a company with my dad. I'm going to be in constant contact with him and that means mom too. Ellie wants nothing to do with them," he shook his head. "It's just not a good idea for me to stay here anymore."

"This is a big decision, Chuck. I don't want you rushing into it just because it's easier and then regretting it later."

He brought up a hand and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "I won't. Forget about my family's problems for a moment. Sarah, this is our chance. This is what I wanted for the longest time. You'd better believe I'm going to try my hardest to not mess it up."

She smiled warmly. "You know what this means don't you?"

Chuck grinned wide. "Oh, I think I remember." He waggled his eyebrows.

Sarah laughed. "Sorry, Chuck. Not what I was talking about."

"What, then?"

"You're definitely going to talk to the therapist now," she explained.

"Oh, come on," he whined.

"You said you'd try your hardest," she reminded. "Were you lying?"

His shoulders slumped. "No..."

"Then you're doing it."

"Fine," he reluctantly agreed.


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Author's Note: I'm trying for a chapter of Spirits and a chapter of Regenesis this weekend, we'll see.