"Chuck vs the Aussie"
AN1:
***** I updated last chapter and if you missed the re-post, please re-read the airport section – basically the last third of the chapter – it is different and does change the ending slightly – so it is important to take a look.*****
Annnnd there was the hate. Wow… um… sorry? I apparently really, really pissed off some folks. It was always the plan and this is not an attempt to manufacture angst. I will try and make things more clear, but at the heart of it keep in mind Sarah's history – it really is why she reacted like this. A great read that does a better job explaining a broke Sarah is Billatwork's – Chuck vs the Therapy Re mastered. Take a look at it because it is a great read.
I implore folks not to give up – this chapter will resolve the mess and then the final chapter will be worth the wait. I appreciate you all sticking with this and I hope I haven't lost too many readers – it is a roller coaster ride by design, but the ending will not leave you hanging.
**** I fixed a time issue - due to time zones in Australia it is the 29th, while it is the 28th in Burbank - so same 'time' as things are happening (not the next day) hope that makes sense.
Disclaimers – I don't own Chuck or the Olympics (additional disclaimers in AN2).
Italics will always denote character thoughts and once again keep an eye on the time shifts and dates.
And thank you to everyone who has provided feedback – you have no idea how much I appreciate it! I always PM reviewers… though they may be late from time to time (my bad). I will never beg for reviews, but feedback is so useful and now more than ever are reviews appreciated - the time that is spent reviewing really lifts a writer's spirit. So to those who review thank you so much and to those who read thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy this story.
Chapter 21: Arrivals
Chuck's Flight – LA to Sidney
Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean
August 28, 2012
Chuck sits in his seat, his legs shifting uncomfortably near the seatback in front of his long legs in the cramped coach quarters of the Boeing 747 as the gentle hum of the engines echoes in the background. But the uncomfortable position is lost on him as he concentrates on the sheets of paper before him on his tray table as he writes notes, erases others vigorously before adding more to the papers.
Hannah, the elderly woman who had struck up a conversation early in the flight, walks down the aisle after returning from the lavatory. She sees Chuck's expression of absolute concentration and smiles wryly at the young man.
She pokes he shoulder playfully, "What are you doing Chuck?"
Chuck starts before turning to her with a sheepish smile, "Uh… I was just… (sigh)."
Hannah leans over before sitting down in her seat, "Those look like musical notes…"
Chuck smiles nervously, "Yeah… I'm writing a song… to win back Sarah…"
Hannah beams at him thinking to herself, God he is adorable! If I was 20 years younger…
Hannah shakes her head to clear those thoughts before her face twists in confusion. She then asks, "Chuck, you told me the story of you and Sarah at the Olympics and don't take this the wrong way, but you did nothing wrong. If anything she should be begging you for forgiveness! Why should you have to win her back?"
Chuck sighs and rubs his tired eyes before answering, "I keep getting told that, but you have to understand Sarah's past. When she was little and basically throughout her childhood she was moved around making her abandon her friends. Then in University she finally made friends and finally started living and being social. Well, one of her so called best friends betrayed her and slept with her first boyfriend… it destroyed her from all I've been told. It was so hard for Sarah to tell me this… to open up to me… or anyone. I would love to blame her… to be angry, but I can't. I knew that she had a painful past and what did I do? I hurt her… I made her feel abandoned. I should have figured out a better way to deal with the situation… I could not have taken advantage of her, but I should have protected her…"
Hannah nods silently as she processes what the young man had passionately said.
Chuck then smiles sadly and looks down at the mess of papers before him before speaking softly, "Besides… she's worth it. When you find someone you care about… it's hard to say goodbye…"
Hannah nods and smiles, "Good luck Chuck… I hope you find what you are looking for."
Chuck smiles, "Thanks and thanks for listening."
Hannah smiles back and pats his arm, "I'm going to have a nap. I will leave you to your song. Oh… and Chuck."
Chuck looks at her, "Hum?"
"She'd be mad not to take you back. Night Chuck."
Chuck smiles, "Thanks for listening, and have a good sleep."
Hannah drifts to sleep as Chuck sits staring in deep contemplation at his work. He thinks over the conversation with Hannah and begins to be beset by the anticipation of arriving in Australia to fight for her, for them. As he thinks his mind begins to go into overdrive and his pen hits the paper once move. He writes and writes as his emotions pour onto the page:
This could be good
It's already better than last…
And nothing is worse than knowing
You're holding back
I could be all that you needed
If you let me try….
And I'm in love and I'm terrified
For the first time in the last time
In my only life
He looks at the jumble of lyrics and musical notes before him and he finally finds his muse as he imagines Sarah by his side. He takes his notes and forms a song, a song from the heart as he pieces together a way to reach Sarah's soul.
After finishing the song he stretches his aching hand and smiles at the paper containing the simple song. His eyes begin to feel heavy and soon he is drifting into sleep, no longer able to stay awake now that he put his soul upon the paper. As he drifts away all he can think is, This has to work…
Over the plane's speakers a voice crackled through, "Hello folks this is the Captain speaking. We are expecting some serious turbulence as we near the midpoint of the flight. Please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts… we may have to divert to Honolulu, Hawaii if necessary…
Chuck looks up and a pensive look takes over his face, Great… I need to find her and the last thing I need is a delay!
Sarah's Flight – Sidney to LA
Somewhere over the Pacific Ocean
August 28, 2012
Sarah sits in her seat nervously playing with her hands before checking her wrist watch for what seemed like the millionth time. As she awaited the end of the long, agonizingly long flight to Los Angeles she was lost in thought.
Please give me a second chance Chuck. God I am so screwed up and I had a great guy who would do anything for me and I ran away. Why did I do that?
Well… I know why… I was scared. God that is so sad, the Giant Blond She-male afraid of… of Love?
Gasp, yep… love…
Please give me another chance Chuck. I am willing to fight, willing to put my heart on the line. I know what I want and I won't sacrifice my happiness or yours because I am scared… I am sure I will screw up, but I will never run away again…
I want my happy ending!
Come on you stupid plane! Can't this thing go any faster? I have my guy to find and a relationship to save!
Sarah is broken from her reverie by an announcement crackling over the planes speakers, "G'Day all. This is the Captain speaking and we are nearing a bit of bad weather. We expect some serious turbulence and are shifting our flight path north to try and avoid the storm. If we can't get round this we will head for Hawaii if the need arises. So grab a quick drink from the carts and make sure to buckle up.
Sarah practically growls, NO! This is not happening! I need to find Chuck and Mother Nature better not get in my way!
Chuck's Apartment
Burbank, CA
August 28, 2012
17:34 hrs PST
Ellie wanders throughout Chuck's apartment with a smile on her face as she meticulously cleans Chuck's apartment after thoroughly cleaning her apartment out of nervous energy. As she moves from room to room she cleans everything from the counters to the floors as she listens to her MP3 player playing her music from her portable mini speakers. She is cleaning a set of windows as she thinks to herself, Okay… calm down Ellie! Chuck will be fine. He will go over to Sarah's place and make some perfect speech and she will run into his arms and they will live happily ever after. It will be just like a romantic movie!
Ellie twirls to the music spinning happily as she moves to the kitchen throwing the cloth in her hands into the sink before grabbing a glass from the shelf and filling it with water from the tap. She takes a long swig and wipes her lips as she looks around proudly at her work. "Ah, that hits the spot. Damn this place looks good…"
As Ellie inspects her work she nods to herself and smiles as her music plays in the background. Suddenly there is a knock at the door and Ellie's head perks up as she thinks curiously, Who could that be? Probably more fans or fan girls after him. Sarah better get her act together or Chuck might just move on… who am I kidding… if someone broke Chuck's heart he would probably not date for… like 5 years.
Ellie guides over to the door with her glass of water in her hand and opens the door with a smile. "Hey there, Chuck's not…"
Ellie freezes and she looks at the guest with a blank expression on her face as the glass drops from her glass and breaks on the floor.
"Hi Ellie… is Chuck here?"
Ellie just stares blankly at the person before her with her mouth opening and closing like a fish gulping out of water.
Ellie finally regains her bearings, "Sarah… what, what are you doing here?"
Sarah stands nervously in the entryway looking fearfully at Ellie. Sarah thinks, Oh crap! Ellie is going to kill me for being so stupid and running from Chuck and London. Well, I better face the music…
Sarah looks down at her feet and her hands play aimlessly as she wipes them on her tight, ankle high jeans as she plays with the bottom of her red tank top. Sarah regains her composure, "Um… can I see Chuck?"
Ellie shakes off her surprise and says quickly, "Come in Sarah… watch out for the glass…"
Ellie thinks, Damn! This is not good. Sarah is here… here! Well, this might be a good time to 'interrogate' Sarah and make sure she won't hurt him.
Ellie rushes off and quickly cleans up the water and broken glass before ushering Sarah to Chuck's couch. They sit in silence for minutes until Ellie finally breaks the stagnate and awkward silence, "So, Sarah… why are you here?"
Sarah sighs, "Ellie… I know I am probably not your favorite person right now, but I really need to talk to Chuck."
Ellie keeps her face blank but smiles internally, She really wants to see him and came all this way… that is a good sign.
Ellie continues, "I don't know Sarah… why should I let you see him? Won't you just run off again?" Ellie looks hard at Sarah, but almost breaks her angry act at the crushed expression on Sarah's face.
Sarah fights back tears as she looks at Ellie, "I deserve that… I am so sorry Ellie. I am really screwed up and honestly I don't deserve your brother. I was scared and freaked out and made a huge mistake that I am trying to fix…"
Sarah then takes a deep breath and continues, "Did Chuck tell you about my past?"
Ellie's blank look breaks as compassion is clear on her face, "He never told me anything that you trusted him with… I did hear a few things from Carina and Zondra though…"
Sarah smiles, "Well, you deserve to hear it from me. When I was a kid… I moved what seemed like every year. A new school, a new house and every time I left friends behind. When I got to High School I gave up and stopped trying to have friends… I was sent to a psychologist after withdrawing and it helped a little, but the pain never really went away. The Doctor told me that I developed abandonment issues. My parents were always there, but I became… conditioned to losing touch with my friends… always having to say goodbye…"
Sarah took a deep breath before soldiering on, "When I started university I planned on staying hidden. I met Zondra, Carina and Amy and well that didn't last. My new friends basically made me over from an ugly duckling and helped me finally get out there and live. Well, one day I walked into my boyfriends place and found him in bed with my former friend Amy. I had a really tough time… and even though Zondra and Carina helped me through it I never really trusted again."
Sarah looks sadly forward before a small smile grows on her face, "And then I met your brother…"
Ellie just looks on with interest in her eyes and compassion in her heart.
Sarah takes a deep breath and continues, "Your brother was just… so perfect… you know? He treated me right and made me feel so safe. I guess I started to feel like he was a perfect guy… someone who could not hurt me and I would be safe with him. I put him on a pedestal that no human could ever live up too. It was this feeling… the feeling that Chuck was infallible that allowed me to continue or well even start the relationship with Chuck. When Chuck rejected me… and before you say anything I know that what he did was right, not only was it right it was an amazing and self sacrificing decision. I am so proud of him for doing the right thing when it would have been so easy to succumb to temptation and take advantage… even though I wanted him to and really tried hard to seduce him. I realize that my actions were wrong, hurtful and stupid… I know I am the bad guy here. But I did not think or understand, even when everyone was telling me that Chuck did everything he did that night for me… I just freaked out and shut down like I did when I was a kid because Chuck hurt me. He didn't mean to but I was so, so devastated when we didn't make love that night. I wanted him so bad and when he did the right thing and rightly rejected me... it hurt… he hurt me. He was no longer perfect… well he was and he is… but… do you know what I mean?"
Ellie nods with a soft expression, "Yes… I do."
Sarah takes a soothing breath, "I became so scared because now that Chuck was real… I mean really real and could make mistakes... I realized I could be hurt just like when I was in university. I thought that if I got away I would save myself and Chuck the pain. Chuck deserves better than me…"
Sarah takes another breath fighting back the tears, "I thought I was saving myself the pain by running, but I was so crushed leaving him. I have never missed someone that much in my life. I am so stupid… I tried to save everyone pain and all I did was cause everyone I loved pain… caused myself more pain than I thought possible… its stupid…"
Ellie smiles softly, "No… it's not Sarah. You were in love for the first time and sure you didn't react well, but you are here trying to make things right."
Sarah smiles widely through tears, "Thanks Ellie… for listening and not judging me… you have every right too. I know you may be angry with me… but can I please see Chuck? I have to make this right and I hope... I can win him back…"
Ellie shifts uncomfortably as her music plays softly in the background, forgotten during the intense conversation where Sarah bared her heart. Ellie cringes and looks at Sarah apologetically, "Um… Sarah don't freak out but Chuck's not here…"
Sarah nods, "Okay, where is he? I can drive there and see him."
Ellie sighs as the beat to a new song starts and plays oddly louder than the others, an error in the download, "Sarah… Chuck flew out yesterday…"
Sarah gets an intense look on her face, "Where?"
Ellie cringes with an apologetic look, "Sydney…"
As Sarah looks dumbly with her mouth open starring at Ellie in shock, the song lyrics play loudly in the background pushing into the foreground as the Canadian singers voice loudly exlaims:
So much for my happy ending…
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh…
Ellie looks over to the previously forgotten speakers and MP3 play and holds back a dry chuckle, "A little on the nose don't you think?"
Ellie then turns to Sarah with a horrified look, "Oh Sarah! I am so sorry I didn't mean…"
Sarah jumps in as she raises her hands in a calming fashion as she sighs and smiles weakly, "No Ellie, it's okay. I am done freaking out. I know what I want and I am not running anymore… I already know what faces me if I do that…"
Sarah then looks down at her feet as she shifts nervously as a smile tugs at her lips, "Ellie? Why did Chuck go to Australia… he did go to the Sydney, Australia right?"
Ellie chuckles, "Yes, Australia… and he went to find you silly!"
Sarah beams, "Really?"
Ellie smirks, "Yep! Now, come with me! We can go to dinner and figure this all out and maybe we can call Chuck."
Sarah smiles at that, "Okay… that sounds good. Thanks Ellie."
"Anytime," Ellie says with a smile as she grabs the blonde's hand and drags her to the car.
Sarah's Apartment
Sydney, Australia
August 29, 2012
14:44 hrs AEST
Emma walks through Sarah's apartment where she dropped off a box of Sarah's stuff that had been left at the current Walker home. Besides, Emma wanted to check up on Sarah's place while she was away and getting into the city was always an interesting experience for Emma.
Emma looks out the window of Sarah's little apartment when she hears a knock at the door. She quirks a brow and turns, not sure whether to answer it or not. The knocking becomes louder and seems to be frantic.
Emma sighs and calls out, "Just a minute!"
Emma glides to the door and pulls it open, "Yes, what's so important that you are poundin' on my daughter's door?"
As Emma finishes her statement she sees the young man before her – a tired and slightly disheveled Chuck Bartowski.
Emma drops the door knob and figuratively looks up at the sky, "Oh come ON!"
Chuck dumbly replies, "Huh?"
Chuck looks at her with a perplexed expression, "Um… hi Mrs. Walker… I mean Emma… is Sarah here?" Chuck smiles weakly at her, clearly nervous.
Emma smiles weakly at him, "Well at least you came… that's a good sign. Come with me dear." Emma grabs his arm and pulls him out of the apartment after locking the door.
Chuck is now completely confused, "But! I need to see Sarah!"
Emma pauses and turns, "Sarah's not here… come on young man and I can take you to our house where you can rest and I will explain everything."
Chuck sighs tiredly, "Will I see Sarah?"
Emma thinks for a moment and decides that stretching the truth wouldn't hurt to get him back to the Walker home where this mess could be sorted out, "I am not promising you will see her, but I guarantee she won't be here, so come on. Trust me and we will get this all sorted. Okay?"
Chuck sighs and weakly smiles, "Okay… lead the way."
Ellie's Apartment
Echo Park, CA
August 28, 2012
18:04 hrs PST
Sarah had done her best to assist where she could as she watched Ellie rush around the kitchen cooking up a storm for the dinner with Chuck and Ellie's parents. Sarah helped where she could and learned as much as possible… she thought, Cooking skills couldn't hurt…
Sarah and Ellie were chatting when the door bell suddenly rang.
Ellie smiles at Sarah, "Can you get that?"
Sarah smiles back, "Sure." Sarah moves gracefully from the kitchen to the door and opens it to find Devon standing there.
Devon and Sarah both look at one another not really believing the other is there. Devon regains his voice first, "Awesome!"
Sarah smiles weakly and looks away, "Devon… it's great to see you! What are you doing here?"
Devon smiles widely, "Me and Ellie have been dating since we met in London and I decided to come to LA. She is in school and I can work down here and am deciding if I want to go back to school… I was thinking maybe Med School at UCLA…"
Sarah smiles, "That's great." She thinks, I wish I had not freaked out so me and Chuck could have had an adult conversation and planned out what we would do after London…
Ellie calls out to Sarah, "Is it Mom and Dad?"
Sarah chuckles and hollers back, "No! It's Awesome!"
Ellie squeals and comes running and like a flash she passes Sarah and leaps into Devon's muscular arms.
After Devon and Ellie's kiss breaks Devon says smoothly, "Hey Babe, I always love your welcomes!"
Ellie laughs and hugs him tight before sliding back to her feet, "Always happy to see you! Come in!"
As Elle and Devon move inside, Sarah begins to close the door when she hears, "Hello Sarah."
Sarah freezes and turns to see Mary Bartowski and a distinguished looking man arm in arm that Sarah quickly determines was Chuck and Ellie's father. Sarah, seeing the Batrowski's begins breathing heavily before pushing down her panic and saying, "Hi Mrs. Bartowski…"
Mary chuckles, "I told you to call me Mary dear. This is my husband, Chuck and Ellie's father, Stephen."
Stephen reaches his hand out to shake Sarah's, "Nice to meet you Sarah… now I can see what all the fuss is about."
Mary slaps his chest and Sarah looks down shyly and turns red in embarrassment, Well that explains where Chuck got all his charm from. God this is going to be an awkward night…
Later…
Dinner was a fun affair as Stephen and Devon joked and had fun as the Bartowski's, Devon and Sarah enjoyed Ellie's terrific meal. However, Sarah had become pensive as she enjoyed her time with what she hoped would be her boyfriend's family.
Sarah finally can no longer hold in her question, "Why don't you all hate me?"
The conversations stop and they all look at Sarah. At the attention Sarah shrinks under the gazes of the Bartowski's and Devon.
Mary speaks up for them, "Why would we hate you? You made a mistake and you flew half way across the world to fix it. Ellie explained a bit more to us and honestly we were never angry with you… we were just sad and… disappointed…"
Sarah shrunk again, Disappointed… god that always hurts more coming from parents…
Ellie then adds, "And you make him happy… that's all that counts… just don't hurt him…"
Sarah smiles weakly and nods, "I don't plan to… well don't plan on hurting him again… if he will take me back…"
Stephen coughs out a laugh and then takes a sip of his wine to smooth his cough before adding, "Ha, if you saw his video game you wouldn't be worried at all about him taking you back!"
Sarah has a quizzical expression grow on her face, "Wait, Chuck's game… but I have seen it? Why would that tell me he will take me back?"
Stephen looks at Sarah, "Well… judging by the main characters it is pretty clear he is taken by you…"
Sarah again looks on confused, "Uh… the main character is Charles Carmichael…"
Stephen laughs, "Well yes, but I mean the female lead… I will have to show you… he finished the game"
Sarah smiles, "He finished it! That's great!"
Stephen smiles widely and looks at Mary and Ellie before turning his gaze back to Sarah, "Yeah, he just needed the right muse to put it all together. I will admit, my boy surprised me with this game… it is going to be huge."
Sarah smiles and thinks, Of course it is going to be a huge success… it is Chuck's after all…
Dinner and dessert was enjoyed by all as they talked and Sarah became more and more comfortable. By the end Sarah had become looser and had come to appreciate the warmth and openness of the Bartowski clan, who had taken her in and not judged her for her past transgressions.
She finally saw where Chuck had gotten his unflappable integrity from. But Sarah once again grew impatient, "I want to call Chuck!"
Everyone looked at her and smiled at her impatience and Ellie tried to calm her down, "Sweetie, isn't it late there… or early?"
Sarah looks at her watch, "No, it is like a 17 hours time difference so it is the early evening back home in Sydney. I keep asking and I want to call him!" She says almost desperately.
Mary smiles, "Alright, Chuck will be there by now and has probably figured out that you both seem to think alike. Chuck is going to be calling in soon to tell us how things are going… so don't worry you can talk to him soon."
Sarah tries to smile, but is so impatient and nervous it comes out forced. Suddenly the phone rings and Sarah freezes. Devon smiles and aptly says, "Showtime!"
The Walker Home
Sydney, Australia
August 29, 2012
15:14 hrs AEST
Emma ushers Chuck down to the street not giving Chuck a chance to question her dragging him from Sarah's apartment. Chuck follows dutifully, though highly confused as he follows Emma to the street.
Emma turns and beams a smile at Chuck and Chuck can instantly see where Sarah inherited her fair haired looks and that smile from. Emma then announces, "Well here we are, this is my baby… well my other baby."
She points to the car parked on the street and Chuck's mouth drops open. He takes in the beautiful black Porsche 911.
Chuck can only say, "Wow…"
Emma smirks, "Yep! One of the perks of Jack's job… though I would give it all up to save Sarah all that pain from the moves…" Emma becomes pensive before shaking off the melancholy. "Come on Chuck, We'll get you to Jack and my place up north in Mosman, it's a suburb just north of the city."
Chuck smiles, "Should be a fun ride in this beauty! But Mrs. Walker…" Emma glares at him and he stumbles slightly, "I mean Emma, when can I see Sarah?"
"Get in Chuck, I will explain on the way."
Chuck thought for a moment before stepping into the beautiful German machine. Emma jumps in and starts the engine, which purrs to life as she puts down the top of the convertible. A predatory look splits her face as she revs the engine and takes off, tires squealing.
A High Speed Drive Later…
Emma flew up Balmoral Avenue and up a hill that wound all the way to the Walker family home. She drove through the entryway gate up the driveway between hedges and well adorned plants and tropical flowers to the car port. After the door had lifted out of the way allowing them entry to the car port, Emma brought the Porsche to a screeching halt in her driveway as both her and Chuck flew forward and were caught by the seatbelts as the car stopped on a dime. Emma smiles widely while Chuck just sat in place as Emma jumps out of the car.
Emma moved towards the house but stopped when she noticed Chuck was still glued to the passenger seat.
She walks back chuckling, "Did I scare you Chuck?"
Chuck shakes his head and looks up, "Hum?" He was lost in thought and honestly had not even comprehended the terrifying drive Emma had just taken him on. All he could do was parrot, "Sarah's in Burbank?"
Emma sighs, "Yes Chuck, come inside. I want you to meet Jack and you can call Sarah in America."
Chuck shakes his head and climbs awkwardly out of the car. Once out he clumsily made his way out of the car he looked at his watch and grimaced, "I promised I would call at 11pm Pacific time… so I should call in about an hour…"
Emma smiles, "Perfect, I want to introduce you to Jack… he's not so bad."
Chuck smiles nervously, "Meeting Sarah's dad… yeah that sounds… fun…"
Emma laughs, "Come on Chuck."
They head up the walkway to the beautiful and modern house. The house is three levels that appeared like steps with the base level being large and rectangular and a smaller second floor and a large terrace adjacent to the second floor interior space and on top of the first floor roof. The third floor again had a large wrap around terrace as well as a garden area on the roof top floor of the large home.
Emma led Chuck past the garage to the entry to the house which was adorned with stone tiles and an opulent entry arch to a courtyard in front of the modern home. Emma led the way with Chuck following in toe all the way up to the main floor which caused Chuck to freeze and stare. From the street little could be seen of the house and Chuck could not believe what he saw once he entered the homes doorway past the courtyard. There is a set of stairs twisting downward to rooms adjacent to the car port, while there is a large entryway to stairs to the second and third levels. The home is amazingly open with stone supports to the square roof with massive open windows with vertical slats across the open designed windows that formed 'walls of glass.'
To the left is a square, but covered open air terrace with tasteful beige furniture around a coffee table overlooking the panoramic views of Hunter's Bay and the Ocean. The interior of the house proper is dark slate stone floors with smooth white walls and lightly colored couches in a small sitting area that opens into large open area that connected a grand room with high ceilings to the chef's kitchen and a set of stairs to the top levels. The staircase wraps around to the top level which consists of three bedrooms, an office and an entertaining room with large glass windows overlooking the ocean. All the rooms are open and basically made of glass with wooden vertical slates to provide some privacy for the occupants. Chuck then looks to the well groomed yard and observes the turquoise waters of an in ground pool surrounded by a stone deck and a built in grill and outdoor entertaining area.
Emma pauses and looks back at Chuck as he looks around at the modern, yet elegant décor of the Walker house. She sees Chuck's amazed expression and she smiles subtly as she walks back towards him.
"Hey Chuck!"
Chuck jumps and looks at Emma embarrassedly as she smiles wryly at his nervous reaction.
"Hum?"
Emma laughs, "You like the place?"
Chuck smiles, "You have an amazing home… very beautiful…"
Emma grins, "Your sweet, come on Chuck, Jack should be in his fortress… I mean his office."
Chuck and Emma walk up the wrap around stairs all the way to Jack's office on the top floor. Emma knocks on the dark wood door before opening it and walking in, Chuck following nervously behind.
"Jack, look who came by for a visit."
The opposite wall from the entry door is a large glass 'wall' with an opening and large wooden slat double doors that opened to a deck and an amazing view of the surrounding area and ocean. Jack Walker sits behind his large wood desk to the right of the room's entryway so he could see the door if Emma or clients entered the office to his left and the panoramic view of the ocean and Hunter's Bay to his right.
"Emma! Who's come to visit then?'
Jack rises in his casual but tasteful collared blue and white stripped dress shirt and white khaki dress pants and brown leather dress shoes. Emma smiles and moves to the left to expose Chuck standing behind her.
Jack smirks and appraises the young man. He looks over at Emma and crooks the corner of his mouth talking to Emma in a sideways manner as he appraised the young man before him and says to Emma, loud enough for Chuck to hear, "He looks familiar… he looks kinda like a schnook…"
Emma shakes her head, "Be nice Jack! This is Chuck."
Jack ponders for a moment, "Wasn't Sarah's yank at the Olympics named Chuck?"
Emma's head drops as her hand massages her temples, "Yes Jack…"
Jack catches her drift, quirks his eyebrow and smiles, "Charlie! How are you doing! Wait, but Sarah's…" Jack then starts to laugh, "Oh this is too perfect!"
Chuck nervously shuffles before offering his hand, "Very nice to meet you Mr. Walker…"
Jack shakes his hand and appraises the young man and his grip, "Likewise Charlie and you call me Jack. So you come to win back my daughter?"
Emma scolds him, "Jack!"
Jack smiles at his wife, "I will be good… why don't you grab some drinks for us." Emma looks at Chuck and Chuck nods that he is okay being left to 'the wolves.' Emma sighs and shakes her head as she heads down the stairs to grab drinks for the trio thinking, Jack better not be too hard on the boy…
"So Charlie, what makes you think you are good enough for my daughter?"
Chuck tenses for an instant as he thinks and then without thinking he just answers, "I'm not… but I love her… and that's all that I can do…"
Jack smiles and laughs, "Ah… she found the right schnook."
Chuck looks at Jack with confusion in his eyes, "Huh… but I said…"
Jack smirks, "I know what you said and it was a good answer. I read people… it's the only real skill I have. Will you take care of her?"
Chuck smiles crookedly, "I'll do my best… if she will have me…"
Jack smiles widely, "Good!" Jack then casually walks to Chuck's side and puts his arm around his shoulder as they walk to the desk, "So Charlie… I have a business proposition for you…"
Chuck smiles nervously, "Um… okay…"
Jack walks Chuck towards the deck outside of his office as he begins to talk 'business' with Chuck.
Phone Call
August 28, 2012
23:04 hrs PST/ 16:04 hrs AEST (Aug 29th)
Sarah rushes to the phone and picks it up before Ellie or the Bartowski's can even move to the ringing device.
Ellie, Mary, Stephen and Devon look on with mirth in their eyes as Sarah quickly answers the phone.
Sarah presses the answer button without looking at the number and practically yells into the phone, "CHUCK!"
From the other end of the phone, "Ow! The hell! Who is this yelling in my ear, Ellie?"
Sarah's face falls at the sound of the feminine voice on the other end of the phone, which is slightly static-y making recognizing the voice difficult.
Sarah panics, "I don't know who you are but if you are calling for Chuck – YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM!"
The voice on the other end of the line chuckles, "Hold on my reception is terrible, can you hear me now?"
Sarah looks down at the phone dumbly as the voice clarity improves and she recognizes the voice, "Zondra?"
Zondra laughs into the phone, "Yes Sarah. Nice phone manners by the way!"
Sarah blushes red and the table erupts in laughter having gathered the mistake Sarah had made.
Zondra smiles into the phone, "So blondie you finally got your head out of your ass? Did you get all of Carina's and my messages? Thanks for taking our calls by the way," Zondra says the last bit sarcastically with a tint of hurt behind the words.
Sarah cringes and sighs before answering, "I know I should have listened and I should have taken your calls, I am sorry."
Zondra sighs into the phone, "No worries… if anyone has a right to be mad it's you... you should be mad at me and Carina."
Sarah sighs as well, "I am not mad at you…"
Zondra smiles slightly though with a painful expression on her face, "We screwed up… me and Carina shouldn't have helped get you so drunk and we should have watched you better and taken care of you."
Sarah stop's her abruptly, "No, I made my choices and sure you guys getting me hammered didn't help, but I screwed up."
Zondra smiles again and asks, "So, you're in Burbank? I called to check with Ellie to see if Chuck had found you… I knew about his plan because he was taking my calls!"
Sarah winced, "Sorry…"
Zondra takes a breath, "It's all good, but have you talked to him?"
Sarah sighs sadly, "No… we had the same idea and now he is half a world away… he is supposed to be calling anytime now…"
Zondra laughs, "And when you heard a woman's voice instead of his you went into jealous Sarah mode."
Sarah answers quietly, clearly embarrassed "Yes…"
"Ha!" Zondra says good naturedly, "So you going to make this right?"
Sarah smiles, "Yes."
Beep – Beep
Sarah looks down at the phone before turning to Ellie, "Um Ellie the phone was beeping… is it dead? I really need to talk with Chuck when he calls!" Sarah says this with a little panic entering her voice.
Ellie smiles, "It's an incoming call! Answer it!"
Sarah looks down nervously and says to Zondra, "I have to take this."
Meanwhile…
Chuck checks his watch after being 'saved' from the smooth talking Jack Walker by Emma. Noticing the time he pulls out his cell phone thinking, God this is going to be an expensive call, but maybe I can figure out where Sarah is and… man this is screwed up! Well nothing worth doing is ever easy. Let's see if Ellie can help my wayward love life…
Chuck is about to dial when Emma walks into the large great room and notices Chuck with his cell phone out. She interrupts his dialing, "Chuck, why don't you use our land line instead of that mobile, it must be dreadfully expensive and we have an international call plan so it would be free to call America from our line. Go ahead."
Chuck smiles and hangs up his cell, "You sure it won't cost you anything?"
Emma smiles, "Positive, now I will give you some privacy to call your sister, and who knows… maybe you can figure out where Sarah got to."
Chuck smiles, "I hope so…"
"Good luck," Emma says before turning and leaving the room.
Chuck takes a deep breath and dials Ellie's number. The phone rings and he waits.
He hears a click of the phone being answered and an uncertain voice, clear as day, comes through the line, "Hello?"
Chuck freezes in shock and the voice nervously asks, "Hello, Hello? Chuck?"
Chuck finally regains his composure, "Sarah?"
Sarah smiles widely from the other side of the world, "Hi Chuck… I've been looking everywhere for you."
Chuck looks at the phone in his hand before raising it back to his ear and with a wide Bartowski grin he answers, "Me too."
AN2: And then there was one… chapter… and then a bunch of epilogues… so not really one chapter. Hope this redeemed me. I get this might be seen as a cliffhanger, but the purpose of this chapter is to explain the why things happened and to set up the final chapter of the story proper.
Next chapter is aptly title (in my opinion):
Chapter 22: FINALLY!
I am going to try and write this ASAP – so don't freak out. One reviewer has made a fair comment that this may have become tedious – keep in mind that this was originally far shorter story and despite the detail the timeline in this story is a month or so. So next chapter solves the core question of this story – how does a relationship that so easily could become a summer romance turn into something more. I hope you'll read it because it is the ending that ties up all the strings I have set up before I go into the epilogues. We had a lot of romance and Charah in the beginning and through the Olympics and now we are back to that for the finale.
Disclaimer 2 – Don't own anything related to NBC, nor do i own Qantas or Avril Lavigne's song 'Happy Ending.' There is one other song reference, but that is a secret that you can figure out on your own (I will reveal it next chapter) but i don't own it either (shocking I know).