As The
Years Go By
Disclaimer: Had this in my head and it just wouldn't leave me alone. In this, Roark didn't survive the bombing season 2, allowing for the first Ellie/Devon wedding to happen. Chuck/Sarah ended up doing more than sleeping that first night in Barstow and again after Ellie/Devon's wedding ceremony hours later before she got cold feet and left with Bryce as part of the new Intersect Team.
For 9 months after Sarah Walker walked out of his life the day after his sister's wedding despite his attempts to get her to stay, Chuck Bartowski had no hope in him. Feeling worse than his 5 year time after Stanford and Jill thanks to her choosing the life of a Spy and the CIA over what could have been despite that night and the night they spent in Barstow together. Ellie had been none too happy with Sarah either and the fact Chuck had willingly gone back to the Buy More had been another factor in her unhappiness. When he wasn't at work, Chuck spent his time wallowing in misery and drinking heavily and not bothering to shave. Developing a beard that Morgan would probably be proud of and was once he came back from Hawaii a broken man himself thanks to Anna cruelly leaving him. But then Stephen Bartowski showed up with a surprise that ended up changing things for Chuck in a big way. Namely, the daughter that Chuck had gotten Sarah unknowingly pregnant with. Though the fact she had yet again chosen Spy Life and in his mind, Bryce Larkin, hadn't sat too well with the newbie father.
But regardless, having Charleigh in his life helped Chuck get out of his funk and be the father his little girl needed. Even going so far as to finally quit the Buy More for good and start up his own software company that occasionally dabbled in video game creation. Something that Morgan headed up and excelled at and because fate wouldn't be denied, had ended up meeting one Alex McHugh later on. Hannah Krueman, whom Chuck would meet when she applied for a job at 'GriTowski WareGames' after coming to the Burbank area a year later, would start to heal the hole in Chuck's heart caused by Sarah. 3 years later would see the two married and give little Charleigh, or Charlie as she was sometimes called, a little brother named Casey. Something that made Colonel John Casey deny all accusations that he'd gotten a little choked up and teary eyed over. Chuck's wedding had been the first time he had also called Casey as he had wanted the man to attend and attend he did. Even being a Groomsman for that matter as well. The second time Chuck had called Casey was when Hannah had gone into labor, something he had unfortunately missed out on due to getting there late.
And when Colonel Casey learned his daughter was happily involved with Morgan sometime after a leg injury that had forced early retirement on him 2 years after little Casey was born, he'd about had a conniption fit but Alex wasn't about to let him have a say considering he'd chosen Country over Family. Going so far as to say he had to prove himself before she'd even allow him any kind of say whatsoever in her life and much to Casey's annoyance, Chuck had agreed with her. And while he would end up proving himself to his daughter, that didn't mean Alex would let him interfere in relationship with Morgan. But the fact he made her happy eventually made Casey ease up somewhat on the shorter man. As the years went by and the Bartowski family plus friends expanded in a number of ways like Ellie and Devon happily living in Chicago with little Clara, including Casey having a chance to finally be with Ilsa Trinchina again when she chose to retire and seek him out, tragedy would strike when after 20 years of happiness, Hannah would lose her battle with Cancer.
Sending Chuck back down into a pit of despair and causing Charleigh to take up the reins of being the CEO of 'GriTowski WareGames' as he dealt with his grief. The news of Charleigh taking over would be something Sarah would see and be in shock a good while at how beautiful and grown her only daughter had become. Driving her into feeling even more guilty for how she had handled things and wrongfully resented Carina a bit for having even been involved in her daughter's life as her god mother. It'd be another ten years before Sarah would finally quit the CIA and gather the courage to approach the love of her life. "Hi… Chuck…" Whispered the woman, who despite the years, still looked rather beautiful.
Especially in Chuck's eyes as he stared at her in shock, not having expected her to appear at his doorstep of his modest home in Burbank after 3 decades and some change. "S-Sarah?" He questioned unsurely.
She could only nod in silence as she looked at him and thought the graying beard was a good look for him. "I… I know you told me all those years ago that if I went out that door I shouldn't come back… Is, is that still in effect?"
"Are you intending to be here for good?" Chuck asked in return.
"I am. Its time to be a real girl, Chuck. Its time for me to fix my mistakes and hopefully… Hopefully have a happy life with you. If you're willing."
The smile on his face after her response made her heart flutter as he opened his door wider and moved out of the way to let her in. Something she happily did and the two embraced, not wanting to let go ever again. Of course, their reunion wasn't entirely smooth sailing due to needing to repair things between them, especially where Charleigh was concerned, but over time, Charleigh would be able to forgive her for how she handled things and the two parents would heal. Chuck and Sarah would have 20 years of happiness together before life took the two on to their next great adventure.
Author's Notes: Not entirely how I had intended things, especially in the beginning since I had a rather dramatic scene in mind but I think it works. Plus, I'm glad its out of my head.