AN1 I can't think of much to say this AN so I will keep it short and sweet. I have mapped out the remaining chapters to the story and I have estimated that it has between fifteen and twenty chapters remaining. I can't see it being any less than fifteen but it definitely won't be above twenty.

AN2 Also, check out my new Charah war story - Who Dares Wins! It's a story about Charah's adventures in the 22nd British SAS Regiment. And this time, Chuck and Sarah are equal members of the same team and so they are involved in every single mission that occurs together. Which was one of my main difficulties in writing up Redemption, with Sarah being unable to undertake missions with him.

Sarah vs Redemption and a Navy War Hero

Chapter Forty Two - Farewell, Los Angeles

Los Angeles

It is Chuck and Sarah's final day in Los Angeles before they are to ship back out to continue their final year in the Navy and the CIA, respectively, and they have just arrived outside of Chuck's parents' home. Day by day since arriving in LA, Chuck's fitness levels had improved, to the point that he is now operationally capable of deploying to carry out his duties once more. Chuck isn't sure whether all of the sex he has had with Sarah since them consummating their relationship once more has actually helped and been a part of that recovery, or if it has hindered it. Though he is possibly, maybe, absolutely, entirely biased in believing that it is the former of the two...

The young reconciled couple takes a moment in pause as Chuck fires down the engine of the car that his parents had purchased him many years ago, and they glance at each other in sadness because of the sad news that they had learned this morning.

"I can't believe that your mom and dad are separating, Chuck," Sarah says as she smiles sympathetically at him, and she moves to put her hand on his upper thigh, and he doesn't even flinch at the intimate contact she had just made. A few months ago, that specific action used to cause him distress, and they have come a long way since then. In Sarah's mind, their relationship is now better than it has ever been before in all of the time they have known each other.

"Sarah, look at it this way. When we have our own children one day, and we are living in Virginia as we discussed, I want you to imagine if we have a lovely girl or a boy, and they meet the love of their life at college like we did, only for their girlfriend or boyfriend to have to move to Texas for work, and I decided I didn't like my child being in a long-distance relationship and decided to split them up,"

"You would never even dream of doing a thing like that to our child though, Chuck," Sarah interrupts and declares with a loving smile which he returns, and he nods his head.

"I know I wouldn't, honey. But just say for argument sake that I did do that. Then what would you do?" he asks as they burn an intimate stare into each other's eyes.

Sarah takes a moment to contemplate his question. "Then I would probably kill you," she laughs to him, and he chuckles along with her.

"Then, Mom has every right to do this. Dad has a lot to answer for because that is exactly what he did to us all those years ago. And I know that he got us back together and he allowed you to stay with me and visit me despite it being against military regulations and I have warmed up a bit more to him in the days that have followed since we told them on Christmas Day, but it doesn't take away what he did to us," Chuck declares, and Sarah smiles sadly at his words.

"Let's go and see how she is," Sarah then says as her sad smile shifts into a loving one.

Chuck nods. "Yeah," he agrees.

The reconciled lovers and soulmates then depart Chuck's Dodge Challenger for the penultimate time for at least a year. Because after today, Chuck is transferring the car back over to Devon's care, who has looked after and maintained it for Chuck in all of the years that he has been away since receiving it as a gift from his parents.

Chuck and Sarah then walk hand in hand until arriving outside the door to Chuck's parents. The last time Sarah was here, ten days ago, on Christmas Day, Sarah was more nervous and apprehensive than she had ever been before. But this time, she doesn't have a care in the world about what is on the other side of the door as she reaches out her hands, and she knocks on the door to the Bartowski family home. On completing her actions, she slants herself to the side, and she gazes adoringly with a loving smile at Chuck, and they stand idle for a few seconds until Mary answers and appears from behind the door.

"Hi, Mom," Chuck greets his mother affectionately, quickly followed by Sarah doing likewise, "Hi, Mary."

"Hi, darlings. It is so lovely to see you again," Mary responds endearingly as the young couple moves to hug and kiss their mother and future mother-in-law.

"It is lovely to see you again too, Mary. I have missed you," Sarah declares with a loving smile to Chuck's mum, and the much older woman returns the gesture as they all enter inside of her home together.

"I have missed you both so, so much also," Mary declares as they begin to stand idle inside of her home.

"How are you, Mom?" Chuck then asks.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. I am a survivor as you both well know," Mary responds, and Chuck and Sarah smile sympathetically at her.

"I'm so sorry, Mary," Sarah then responds as she continues her sad smile on somebody she loves and idolizes almost as much as she does Chuck.

"It's ok, sweetheart," Mary responds as she moves to hug Sarah once more. "How have you both been?"

"We've been good. Great, actually," Sarah declares with a loving smile as she pulls back from the embrace with Chuck's mum, and she watches a loving smile form on Mary's face on hearing her words.

"We went to see Hollie, Bryce's daughter a few days ago," Chuck informs his mother, and Sarah nods her head as her smile continues.

"Oh? How is she?" Mary asks as she gazes at the young couple.

"She's not a bit good at all, Mom. My heart is breaking for her," Chuck says emotionally, and he pauses briefly as both women move to touch him affectionately. On restoring his composure and breathing out a sigh in despondency over the situation of the young girl, he continues, "I actually asked her grandparents if I could have custody of her so that she can live with Sarah and me if she wants to."

They then both watch as Mary gasps and a wide, loving smile forms on her face because of her son's declaration.

"I'm so proud of you," Mary declares with a sparkle in her eye as she gazes at Chuck.

"So am I," Sarah then declares.

Mary then shifts her gaze onto Sarah.

"And I am so proud of you too, Sarah. You aren't her godparent, and you didn't even know Bryce, and yet you have also made an astronomical commitment towards her," Mary responds with a huge sense of pride and adoration towards Sarah.

"I made it because I absolutely idolize and adore your son," Sarah declares with a loving grin causing a titanic smile to form on the much older woman's face as she moves to embrace Sarah once more and she kisses her forehead affectionately.

"Thank you for looking out for him. He couldn't have found a better soulmate," Mary declares softly.

On hearing Mary's words, Sarah turns a little fidgety and uneasy before responding, "I'm not so sure. I hurt and left him alone for nearly seven years,"

Mary interrupts Sarah's self-criticism. "Sarah, you came back to him. You looked after him when he had nobody once he got shot. You comforted him when he needed you most. You are the best daughter-in-law in waiting that I could have had, and nobody will ever change my mind over that," Mary declares.

"Thank you, Mary. I'll look after him, always," Sarah declares with a loving smile which Mary returns, and Sarah then shifts her glance onto Chuck once more.

Chuck's continued smile is still present from hearing the powerful exchanges between his mother and his future wife.

"I love you," he declares to Sarah in a voice speaking in a thousand decibels.

"I love you too," she declares in the same tone as Sarah continues to give him an adoring gaze, and they move to kiss as Mary watches on in sheer happiness and joy in seeing her son happy with the woman who always has completed him…

Later that day

Chuck and Sarah are still inside of the Bartowski family home, and Ellie and Devon had recently arrived also as the five adults spend time with each other before Chuck and Sarah are to depart back to work.

Ellie and Sarah are presently engaged in a conversation amongst themselves.

"Ellie, I promised you that I would look out for Chuck during his final year in the Navy, and I am," Sarah says as she gazes into Chuck's sister's eyes.

"Sarah, I can see that. And I am so proud of you because of your commitment that you have made towards Hollie," Ellie responds with respect, and the two women smile at each other.

"Ellie, there's something I need to tell you about Chuck that I really think that you and your mother need to know..." Sarah starts as she looks at Chuck's sister, apprehensively.

Ellie moves to rub Sarah's arm encouragingly. "Sarah, you can tell me. It is obviously troubling you, and maybe I can help. What is it?" Ellie asks with a warm, loving smile.

Sarah sighs for a long moment, before attempting her Hail Mary to get Chuck to drop the dangerous vendetta that could get him killed and her along with him because, without Chuck, there is no life for Sarah.

"I don't think Chuck will appreciate me doing this, but I have to try and get him to see reason,"

"Sarah, you can tell me," Ellie interrupts encouragingly as she rubs Sarah's arm once more.

Sarah gazes into her lover's sister's eyes as she builds up the courage to say what she wants and needs to say.

"Chuck is holding a personal vendetta against a very bad man who is responsible for Bryce's death and everything that has happened to Bryce's family in the aftermath. I can't get him to see reason. He is hell-bent on achieving vengeance, and it is killing him inside and I don't know what to do. I can't lose him Ellie! He is all I have in my life and I am scared and petrified that this vendetta will kill him but he won't listen to me and I don't know what to do!" Sarah states as she works herself up into a frantic state of mind and she becomes erratic and tears leave her eyes.

On seeing Sarah's worked up state, in addition to her words, Ellie moves to hug her and she reassuringly rubs her back.

"I'll talk with him, Sarah. And I will see if I can talk some sense into him. You are absolutely right and I completely agree with you. This is dangerous, stupid and reckless on his behalf so thank you so much for telling me this," Ellie responds comfortingly as she continues to warmly embrace her future sister...

A short while later

Ellie has just arrived at the doorway to Chuck's former bedroom in the Bartowski family home. She pauses in wait at the doorway until Chuck looks up and meets her gaze and he smiles at her.

"This place brings back so many memories," Chuck declares to his older sibling.

Ellie smiles as she also nods. "It does," she responds in agreement.

"Our mother raised us both so well. It must have took her a lot of grit to leave her job to look after us on her own while dad was away in the Navy," Chuck says and Ellie nods her head once more.

"She has raised us so well Chuck. She is the bravest and greatest woman I have ever known. And because she has raised us well, I need to talk to you about something very important," Ellie responds.

Chuck nods his head. "Ok, sure?" he responds.

Ellie then enters into the bedroom and she closes the bedroom door and she moves to sit on the bed next to her brother.

"Chuck, I know all about this absurd quest for vengeance for the death of Bryce that you are now on. Sarah told me about it just earlier," Ellie starts as she gazes at her younger sibling.

Chuck shakes his head in disapproval. "She shouldn't have done that."

Ellie scoffs. "I vehemently disagree! Are you seriously suggesting to me that she shouldn't have told your family members that you are wanting to go and get yourself killed?" Ellie asks as she glances at Chuck with distaste and he has no response to give her because she is entirely correct and if it was her or Sarah or anyone he cared about doing this, he would say the exact same thing.

"Sarah loves and idolises you more than anything in this world! And in this crusade for vengeance, you're not being fair to her and that's just her!" Ellie pauses and Chuck still has no response to give to his sister because deep down he knows that she is right in what she is saying.

"What about me, what about Mom and what about Hollie? We all love you so much and if you go and get yourself killed on some petty, pathetic vendetta, then what the hell are we supposed to do without you, Chuck?" Ellie asks though her question is more of a demand as she wants some answers about her brother's reckless and dangerous thinking.

"Ellie, I get it. And if the shoe was on the other foot and Sarah was in this position or you and you were both on some silly and reckless vendetta then I'd say the exact same thing to you both. It is a stupid vendetta," Chuck admits truthfully. He's not in the business of lying to and deceiving his family so he isn't going to try and excuse and come up with a good reason for why he must avenge the death of his best friend because he doesn't have one —except for his undying loyalty to every comrade he has ever served in the Navy with— to give her.

A dumbfounded look forms on Ellie's face on hearing her sibling agreeing with both her and Sarah's opinion. "Then why in god's name are you doing it, Chuck?! It's reckless and dangerous!" she responds in a concerned tone over the safety and well-being of her brother.

Chuck sighs before responding, "Ellie, loyalty is everything to those who have served. I love Bryce as a brother. And I have the ability to avenge what happened to him and to his family. If Jill was still alive, and she hadn't have killed herself, I think I may have been able to move on from it and to not demand justice. But not now. Not after Jill killed herself. The only reason she did that is because she couldn't live without Bryce and she couldn't bring Hollie up on her own. That bastard needs to pay and answer for that."

Ellie furiously shakes her head in strong disagreement. "Chuck, I can't agree with you. Sarah is right. This vendetta is wrong, stupid and extremely dangerous. You need to let it go," she implores her brother to see reason.

"Ellie, I can't," Chuck responds as he finds it difficult to make eye contact with his older sibling.

"Then I am extremely disappointed and I'm very disgusted with you, Chuck. You aren't the brother I thought you were. Because we don't do vengeance killing in this family..."

A short while later

Chuck and Sarah are still in the Bartowski family home. Mary had just a few minutes ago also attempted to persuade Chuck to see reason after Ellie had told her mother about Chuck's quest to avenge the death of Bryce. And that conversation with his mother had played out the exact same way as the one with Ellie had. Chuck had admitted that the vendetta was stupid but he was not prepared to drop it because of his loyalty to his best friend. Mary had also given her son some strong words of her own.

"Sarah, thanks for that. I have had Mom and Ellie on my back for the past hour over Red Eye," Chuck says as he gazes at Sarah.

Sarah smiles sympathetically at him as she gazes into his eyes. "Chuck, you felt that they had a right to know about your dad. And they did. And I allowed you to tell them. Just like I feel that they have the right to know that their family member is carrying a vendetta that could get him killed," she says softly as she continues to gaze and smile sympathetically at him and he meets her gaze once more.

"Ok, fair point. I concede," he responds as he nods at her.

Sarah's sad smile turns into a loving one on hearing his concession.

"Thank you," she responds as she closes the distance between them and she enters into his arms and she moves to kiss his lips. On breaking from the kiss, she continues, "Chuck, I won't ever stop trying to help you. So please don't ever hold that against me. I can't and I never will accept your dangerous decision that could get you killed if you go after him."

He nods. "Sarah, I won't ever hold that against you. I do deserve my family members down my throat and you were right to tell them," he responds sincerely with a warm smile.

She smiles sympathetically at him once more…

A short while later

Chuck and Sarah are now preparing to depart the Bartowski family home.

"Well, it would be a massive understatement to say that I don't want you both to go," Mary declares as she gazes adoringly at both Chuck and Sarah at the doorway to enter and exit her home.

"Mom, I don't want to go either but I have to. I probably won't be able to see you again until I leave the Navy but I need you to know that throughout the final year of my time in the Navy, I will be missing you and thinking of you a lot. All of you, actually," Chuck says as he glances at his mother, Ellie and Devon.

"I will too. And once we have left, I will make him come and visit you again almost immediately," Sarah adds in causing Mary to give her a loving smile.

"I'll hold you to that," Mary responds as she gazes affectionately at Sarah.

Chuck then begins to shake Devon's hand who will be driving them both back to their hotel in Chuck's Dodge Challenger so that he can then drive it away back into his care once more.

"Look after yourselves and I will be thinking of you both," Devon responds warmly and Chuck and Sarah smile at his words before Sarah moves to hug Devon.

Chuck and Ellie then begin to gaze awkwardly at each other because Ellie is still livid with Chuck's vendetta and Chuck is feeling nervous but his thoughts are interrupted as Ellie moves into his vicinity and they hug.

"Be careful, little brother," Ellie declares and Chuck nods his head.

"I will," he responds.

Ellie then turns her attention to Sarah and the two young women smile affectionately at each other.

"Goodbye, Sarah. I'll miss you," Ellie says warmly.

Sarah moves to hug Chuck's sister while responding in the embrace, "I'll miss you too."

The five adults all then begin to walk to Chuck's car. Arriving there a short moment later, they then say their final goodbyes as Devon starts to drive them both to their hotel while Ellie stays behind in the company of her mother...

A short while later

Chuck, Sarah and Devon have just arrived outside of the hotel that Chuck and Sarah have been staying at in the weeks that they have been in Los Angeles together. They all exit the car as they begin to say their final goodbyes.

"It's hard to say goodbye to this," Chuck declares with a loving smile causing Sarah and Devon to do the same.

"I'll look after it for you, Chuck," Devon declares causing the smiles of Chuck and Sarah to remain.

"We know you will," Sarah responds affectionately.

"I'll miss seeing you Devon. I hope you and Ellie both have an amazing year," Chuck says.

Devon smiles before responding, "Thanks, bro. Look after each other."

"We will," Chuck declares and Sarah smiles as Chuck wraps his arms around Sarah from where he is standing behind her and Sarah raises her hands up to rest on his arms.

Chuck and Sarah then remain in this position and they watch as Devon enters into Chuck's car and begins to drive away. On him disappearing from sight, Chuck loosens his grip on Sarah and she turns around to gaze at him and they smile affectionately at each other.

Sarah then begins to close the distance as the soulmates kiss out on the street. On separating from the kiss, they take each others hand as they walk into the hotel hand in hand as they head over to the hotel reception. On arriving, Chuck speaks, "We will be checking out in the morning. Thank you so much for the hospitality shown to us both."

"Yes, thank you," Sarah responds with a loving smile.

"You are both very welcome. Thank you for your stay here," the female receptionist responds and Chuck and Sarah smile as they then walk off towards the elevator.

On arriving at the elevator, they enter into it together and they cozy into each others frame and gaze adoringly at each other as the elevator begins to take them up to their floor. On exiting the elevator, they walk hand-in-hand to the door to their room and Chuck releases Sarah's hand as she enters into the room first. On them both arriving inside, Sarah turns to face him and they continue their adoring smiles at each other. Sarah then moves into his immediate proximity and they touch foreheads.

"I love you," she declares powerfully as she stares at him from where their heads are touching intimately.

"Not one half as much as I love you, buttercup," Chuck declares back causing Sarah to giggle joyfully as her beaming, loving smile continues.

"And I'm sorry for doing that to you at your mom's," Sarah states to him from the position they continue to remain in.

"You were right to," he declares as he smiles at her. "So... How do you want to spend our last hours before deployment?" he asks.

A mischievous smile forms on Sarah's face as she bites her lower lip and looks at him coyly. "I want to spend them by screwing you senseless," she then declares and Chuck laughs a suppressed chuckle as a wide grin forms on his face.

"I like your thinking, buttercup," he responds causing a vibrant, beaming smile to form on her own face as they adjust their heads to connect their lips together and their hands run soft and delicately over each others face.

The two soulmates stay locked in their position for the next minute until Chuck moves to wrap his arms around Sarah's shoulders and he begins to back her towards the bed and they expertly fall onto it—their lips locked and connected together the entire time—as the two soulmates spend the remainder of their time passionately expressing their love and saying goodbye to Los Angeles together with a bang...

End of Chapter

AN3 Next Chapter: Chuck and Sarah arrive in Afghanistan and the welcoming back that Chuck gets causes significant distress for Sarah.

AN4 I am tempted to write up an M rated piece that picks up where the events ended in this chapter. I kind of want to explore and portray their final moments before shipping back out to war. If you would like to see this then you can reach out to me in a review or PM or on the Chuck fanfiction facebook group.

AN5 Happy Holidays to you all and please leave your thoughts and feedback on the chapter :)