summary: Exhausted from the events with her mother, the baby, and Ryker, Sarah takes a break and turns down Graham's next assignment. With her not there to intervene, Casey's Intersect plan is realized- Chuck is thrown into a bunker. When she learns the truth through a twist of fate, Sarah realizes all she missed out on in not taking that mission, and the gift she never got to know. Discovering the bunker has isolated Chuck and shut down the Intersect, she decides she only has one choice: to fix it. What she finds in him, and he in her, might just change both of their lives.
note: Know this took a while. Life has been crazy and time and inspiration to edit has been pretty nonexistent. Anyway, minor thing, I think this is the first time it's come up; you should see two kinds of line breaks, one within POVs and one as POVs change. It's deliberate. Please review.
disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, phone meetings, The Matrix, or home.
He's been on the phone with Ellie for a little while when Sarah arrives. While he'd started the call walking around and preparing for the day, once things had gone on longer than normal he'd moved to the couch, getting comfy to listen to his sister first share about a tough boss at work, how much she wishes she could just go for that USC Fellowship and take a break from being ordered around by patronizing senior surgeons, and then moving on to asking about things with him- specifically, when he's gonna come home. It's a frequent conversation for them, and as ever, he doesn't know what to say. But he's just glad they can talk this much; it's still a novelty to be able to talk to his sister whenever, like catching her before an early shift, before his day, too.
"I don't know, El, I'm pretty busy all the time here," he murmurs in response to when he'll be home, smiling quickly at Sarah but not saying anything as she comes in, quietly closes the door.
His sister sighs.
"I know. But can you please try and get home for Thanksgiving? I- it was really tough, not getting to do Mother's Day, and you don't know if you'll be back for Christmas either."
He chews his lip, sighing.
"I know, I know. You gotta know how much I hated missing that. But Thanksgiving's a tough one to get off, y'know, everyone tries to get it free, the airports are always packed... I'll try, El."
Sarah frowns, clearly realizing who he's calling- and what about.
They're only a couple days away from the holiday, now; it's Monday and Turkey Day is Thursday. With the way things had worked out and the agencies' enforced extra month in the bunker before they even consider moving the operation to LA, he's definitely gonna have to miss the holiday. He might make Christmas, but he knows Beckman and Graham could also just move things to whatever date they want, earlier, later, anything. He's at their mercy, when it comes to his freedom, and it's tough to deal with, really. For more reasons than most people feel bad over missing holidays.
He's never missed these things with Ellie before. They made pacts as kids to make time for each other because their parents never did. That's literally what Mother's Day is, for them, and their own takes on Christmas, too. How Thanksgiving has evolved from the two of them being so, so thankful for each other, to now involve Devon, and Morgan with his sweet potatoes and marshmallows. Chuck has been there for every holiday since he and Ellie were kids, getting the train home from Stanford every break, booking Buy More leave to make it, Ellie sacrificing college days and shifts to do the same.
And now he's missing it all, for the first time ever.
Ellie must think he got this dream job and now can't be bothered to make time for her, for their family and traditions anymore. And he hates that.
"I just... I miss you, Chuck," Ellie sighs, and he closes his eyes, leaning his head back against the couch and looking up at the ceiling.
"I know, sis, I miss you too." he says a little wistfully.
"Anyway... God, I'm sorry, I've just rambled at you all morning and now I'm making you feel bad about things, and you probably have like two minutes before work, huh?"
"Nah, come on, you're not making me feel bad, it's fine."
She hums disbelieving, then clears her throat.
"Maybe not, but... how are you, little brother? How have you been?"
He shrugs a shoulder though she can't see it. Feeling Sarah walk by him, he opens his eyes and sits up as she hands him a coffee, perching on the coffee table and sipping her own, watching him a little.
"I'm fine, yeah." he replies, wondering quite how true that is. More so than it has been most other times he's told his sister that- and all thanks to the women sitting across from him, smiling a little.
"That's all you ever say," Ellie says kindly. "How's work?"
"It's good. Just... chugging along, y'know." He takes a sip, and Ellie snorts a little at his words. He can imagine her little screwed-up face at that. He misses that face.
"Sounds fun. And forgive how much I sound like a mother in high school-" He chuckles at that. They both know Ellie's often like that, with good reason. He's had his share of annoyance at it in the past- her literal rubbing dirt off his cheek before his first date, for instance-, but now he just appreciates it. Appreciates her, always. "But, you never mention anyone that you're hanging out with or anything. Are you, like, making friends there?"
"Uh..." He trails off, unsure what to say, and Sarah meets his eyes, frowning a little in curiosity. After his beat of nothing, Ellie giggles.
"Makin' any more than friends there?" she quips saucily, and he feels himself gape, paling. How does he answer that?
But right then, Sarah leans in, looking concerned.
"What is it?" she asks quietly.
"Wait- Chuck, who was that?" Ellie asks, a hint of excitement in her tone, and he jumps. Shit.
"That's... No, that's nobody!" he says abruptly. Sarah pauses, jaw dropping as she realizes what's just happened.
Ellie just laughs.
"Chuck, I heard a voice. A woman's voice- in your apartment just before 9am. Unless it's the mailwoman, I douuuubt that's nobody."
She says it all so teasingly, he knows she'll let it go, but he finds himself suddenly incredibly stuck. Because it definitely isn't the mailwoman, but the voice she heard also isn't what she's thinking.
"I- You-"
He feels Sarah grip his arm suddenly, and he looks at her. She gestures to her throat to cut the mic.
"Uh, just a sec, El." he says, and shoves the receiver into his shoulder before she can say more. "Yeah?" he checks with Sarah, and she winces.
"I'm so sorry," she rushes with an awkward laugh. "I didn't realize she'd be able to hear me!"
And while he's still a little panicked over his sister's sheer intuition (and damn good hearing), he chuckles lightly.
"It's okay. I'll, uh, I'll make something up, it's fine," he shrugs off, even while wondering quite what excuse to give.
"Or... maybe you could tell her who I am," Sarah murmurs, and he freezes. Blinks a few times in rapid utter confusion.
"Wh-?"
She smirks softly, shaking her head, hand still on his arm.
"For the cover, when we move out there? You could set it up with her? Only if you want, of course, but it could make it easier."
While his cheeks flush, he has a sudden realization. That doing this, telling Ellie about Sarah his 'girlfriend', actually cements their plans in some way. Establishes their cover before they've even officially been given the go-ahead to move to LA. It puts them a step ahead, that they, or more, the agencies, can't back out on. Ellie will already know, and they can't undo that.
But also, god this is gonna be embarrassing.
"Chuck!" Ellie calls out from the phone, and before he can think he's jumped, lifted the receiver to his ear again.
"Okay, yeah, that's... That's Sarah." he blurts out, fast, not even thinking it through.
"Oh! Who's Sarah?" Ellie asks happily, and he sees Sarah press a hand over her mouth to hide a giggle, evidently able to hear her again.
"She's..." he trails off, wincing, knowing he's gotta do this now. "She's my girlfriend."
"Aw, oh my god!" Ellie says, sounding adoring and happy, and Sarah laughs louder at the clearly-audible happiness from his sister. Sighing in defeat, since there's no point in hiding anymore, he pulls the phone down, hits the speaker button. "I can hear her laughing! She's really there!" Ellie says, and Sarah giggles once more.
"Hi, Ellie."
"Oh! Hi! Hi Sarah, who is there, with my brother right now." While he can tell she's trying to stay polite and grounded, Chuck also clearly hears just how clearly thrilled and happy his sister is at this turn of events. Chuck supposes he understands it- Jones aside, it really has been a shitload of time since he dated anyone. Let alone anyone who would be in his place before 9am, frankly.
"It's nice to sort of meet you," Sarah says with a grin, polite and sweet all at once. He holds back a laugh at how crazy this is, and Sarah reaches out to pat his arm supportively. He pretends the flush on his cheeks is just from the embarrassment of this moment, and not also her touch.
"You too." Ellie says.
He sighs loudly, clearing his throat.
"Well, yes, that happened, that was very nice, anyway-"
"Little brother." Ellie interrupts, and he dutifully closes his mouth to shut up. Sarah giggles, and he pouts at her. "I wish I knew more to say, Sarah, but Chuck has been pretty secretive about you."
Sarah winces at that, leaning in closer, squeezing Chuck's arm. It almost offsets the guilt he immediately feels at that- he's so suddenly aware this is just another of many lies to his sister, and here sits a lie within the lie.
"Well, Chuck's told me plenty about you," Sarah says, soft, smiling. "I know how much he cares about you, and how much he misses you, being here."
"Aw." Ellie says, sounding genuinely moved. "Well I'll, uh, spare any more embarrassment and ask my brother to take me off speakerphone now, but I hope I'll talk to you again soon."
"I hope so too," Sarah says, and he has a rogue thought as to whether she's just an even better actor than he thought, or if she's being truthful there.
But thankfully, this incredibly awkward interaction, fake or not, can now end, and so he picks up the phone again, slamming it briefly into his forehead, before hitting the speakerphone off.
"Hi."
"I like her," Ellie says immediately, and he chokes a laugh.
"I'm glad- but thanks for all that," he mutters, and she giggles down the line.
"C'mon, I wouldn't be your big sister if I didn't embarrass you every now and then. Especially when it's with your new girlfriend you clearly kept a secret until now!" He groans a bit, and Sarah giggles, standing and ruffling his hair, leaving his scalp tingling a little. She takes her coffee to the breakfast bar, giving him some space. "But I'll grill you about her another time, when she's not still in the room in the morning."
Laughing a little at how endearingly predictable that is from his sister, and honestly, how nice it is to have some predictability from his sister in his life again, he sighs.
"Fine. I suppose I deserve this for not telling you for so long."
"Kinda, yeah," she laughs, but then she sobers a little. "Honestly it's not about her, it's just- like I said, I was kinda worried you were all like, isolated over there, you never mention anyone. But you've obviously been so happy- I can hear it in your voice!"
"Really?" he finds himself asking, and she hums.
"Yup. I raised you, Chuck Bartowski, I can tell." He laughs softly at that, and she giggles once more, but then sighs loudly down the line. "I suppose you'll have to get to work, huh?"
"Yeah, pretty soon, actually. It's not a long walk from here though-" Literally like, six steps. "And I can be a couple minutes late, it's okay."
"No, no, I don't wanna make you late, it's fine. I'll call you tomorrow, though, maybe after work? I finish at five, so it's not too late for you." She offers, and he nods, preparing for said grilling- and making a mental note to check cover details with Sarah first.
Now, he hums in agreement.
"Yeah, sounds good, El."
"Okay. Well, have a good day."
"Yeah, you too. Keep kicking brain butt, sis."
She giggles at that.
"Oh, I love you, Chuck."
"Love you too, El. G'bye."
"Bye," she says softly, happily, and he smiles as he hangs up the phone. Sarah looks over her shoulder at him, and he moves toward her with a wry smirk, taking his coffee with him. The third mug, awaiting Casey's arrival, sits ready by the pot. It's funny how quickly things can change, he muses.
"Well, that wasn't embarrassing at all," he drawls with a chuckle, sitting by her side, and she grins.
"A little," she gives him. "And I'm sorry, again, for dropping you in that. Your sister has seriously good hearing."
"She does. So many nights staying up to 4am playing video games foiled, all because she could hear my controller keys halfway across the house..."
Sarah snorts.
"Wow. But at least that set up our cover well, it means when Ellie first meets me she won't be completely surprised."
"I know," he admits. "And... well- that I tried to keep it from her but didn't, I'm sure that kinda tells her that it's a big deal for me. Which'll sell the whole moving with me part a little more, too."
She frowns in curiosity.
"You wouldn't have told her earlier, normally?"
He raises an eyebrow. Damn, she's good, picking that up. And he's tried to hint at this before, his life, but he supposes for this cover to work she needs to know his history, with this particular topic.
"It's... very rarely been a problem for me, lately." She sends him a confused look, and he shrugs. "I don't date much. I was in a relationship in college, for a while, but it ended- badly. Nothing after really stuck, either we don't click, or I'm just... lousy. Like, just before all this happened, Ellie had been trying to set me up with some of her friends at my birthday party and it was... I think abysmal, or... atrocious... other thesaurus-like words."
Sarah chuckles at his joke, kindly, turning in her seat and propping her head up on her hand.
"It can't have been that bad." she says, and while her confidence in him is rather nice, he knows it's a doozy.
"No, it was. She asked me what my major was, and I got all in my head thinking and talking about college, telling her stuff she really didn't need to know, and when I looked up she'd just... left. She'd literally walked away and I hadn't even noticed." Widening her eyes at that, but staying silent, Sarah sips her drink. It says all it needs to, to him. "Yeah. Not my finest moment. But y'know, nothing to get you over a bad relationship like getting a government supercomputer in your head and being shoved in a bunker. Can confirm I'm totally over all that now, at least."
She laughs lightly, more reassuring than entertained, but then she hums, looking thoughtful.
"So, you and me... The cover, I mean. Is that out of character?"
He'd said that it wouldn't be in that meeting with Graham and Beckman, but he gets why she's asking now. And really, it is important, and he understands that. Their relationship will need to seem realistic for their cover to work when they finally get outta here. Sarah, moving to LA with him, them being strong enough to not break up after just a couple months. Casey can be around often as Chuck's sort of mentor, and at least his coworker who lives nearby; Sarah needs to be his girlfriend or else her being around so much would just seem weird. And they'd quickly nixed the idea of her being much else- a new girlfriend would require a lot more planning, and wouldn't explain her being around so much; the cable woman would just get weird.
"Maybe," he admits, nodding briefly, but then he raises his hands to stop her next question. "But Ellie probably thinks I'm in a super good place, being here, a new job, new life, that I'm moving on from all of that. Dating, and- and dating you will just cement that, for her."
Sarah nods, processing that, but then she pauses, a funny look in her eyes.
"Dating me?" she asks, a little hint of something he just thinks might be flirtation in her voice. "What about me?"
Well, shit. His jaw drops, cheeks heating as he works out quite how to describe how... everything, she is. And that she's even asking him that question... He blinks, opening his mouth to reply, though with what he doesn't have the slightest clue-
But at that point, thankfully, Casey bursts in, grumbling as per usual.
"Coffee." he demands, storming toward them both. He reaches for a mug, filling it up rapidly. "Stupid CIA base checking my credentials twice." With a grunt, he slams back half of his drink there and then, black and burning hot. "Let's get this over with."
Rolling her eyes, Sarah stands, and with a laugh Chuck follows suit. He leads the way across to his office, although as he does, he can't help but wonder quite what that little flirtation from his handler might've meant.
The moment they break for lunch, Casey leaves, as he has every day so far since he started joining them. He simply wordlessly grunts away somewhere, and Sarah doesn't try to stop him. Because, while the man might be gruff when it comes to getting out of the bunker and getting a sandwich, even he's been warming up to this whole thing.
It helps that the past few days have been extremely promising. Chuck's had a few more flashes from the files, a couple of actionable ones they could follow up themselves, a stolen diamond to intercept, a dangerous meet they could interrupt (while Chuck stayed in the car, of course), and a good few for other agents to complete, internationally, elsewhere in the country. He's truly been proving himself, and the Intersect, within this whole plan, and Sarah has felt a mix of pride and relief the whole time. Casey, while still that gruff handler, has been more supportive and encouraging by the day- yesterday he'd even said "Good job" to Chuck, and Sarah had seen her asset almost bloom with pride at the praise. The more they do, here, the more confident she is in their future operation, and the more confident she is that this, supporting him, encouraging him, is the right path and angle to take. And the more confident she is in Chuck, too. His intelligence, his potential, his skill at solving things even without the supercomputer in his head... she's in awe of it, really. He's completely untrained yet he's better than most of the agents she's ever worked with.
And his anxiety is easing daily, too. It's not totally gone; she still sees him tensing in busy spaces, sees his overwhelmed expression when he leaves the bunker or enters a new space, but he's getting better overall. Which Sarah is so relieved at. Chuck's been through enough here without adding serious mental health side effects to the government's list of wrongs. And considering the way that they now have something of a plan for returning to Burbank, getting Chuck used to a normal life again is imperative. At least she'll be right alongside him. Posing as his girlfriend.
Which she's still coming to terms with. Not just in herself, no, but the actual facts behind their cover- the way she's going to be a woman moving across the country with her boyfriend of just two months. And that she'll have to sell that to many a family member and friend. It's a long shot, especially now she knows Chuck's dating history, or lack of it. From the sounds of it, he's actually had far more dating experience than she has, since he's had a long-term relationship where she very much hasn't. But she'd also easily picked up that, after it ended badly years ago, he hasn't dated much else if at all. Sure, he'd made some quips before, but never in such clear terms. And if she'd known that, she might really have thought of an alternative idea for her cover- but it... sort of hadn't occurred to her that Chuck would have such a history.
Even with the little while she's known him, she's very aware, Chuck is a charming guy. His personality, his kindness, it's so disarming; even his smile can make her smile. She can't imagine any woman wouldn't be charmed by him just as she's been.
Regardless of his past, though, their cover is now set- especially since she'd spoken to his sister this morning, quite unexpectedly. She'd arrived at Chuck's early, and he'd still been on a call with Ellie, apologizing about missing Thanksgiving in just a few days. Sarah had tried to keep out of the way, but when he'd paled oddly suddenly, she'd had to check he was okay. And then Ellie had heard her, and immediately wondered who was hanging out at her brother's place that early in the morning, and Sarah had seen the perfect opening to sow the seeds. He'd blurted out that she's his girlfriend, and Sarah had ended up speaking to Ellie, hearing how clearly overjoyed the woman was just to know her. They'd ended things with Ellie hoping to meet her some day, and Sarah had found herself strangely content in the knowledge she will, in person, eventually.
But since only after that did Chuck reveal that tidbit about his dating life, Sarah now senses there might be more about his past she should know before this cover truly goes ahead. And so, with Casey gone, she turns to her asset with a grin.
"Do you wanna go get lunch outside?"
"Outside? Like, off-base?" he asks, and she winces a little at the idea she might've gotten his hopes up for that.
"On base, sorry," she corrects, but he thankfully doesn't deflate. "But there's a little sandwich cart farther out than we've been walking the past couple days. We could get something, just get some fresh air again."
"Still getting used to that," he murmurs, and she nods knowingly. In every photo she's seen of Chuck, from his records and the few he has here with his family, his skin is a rather lovely olive color, no doubt the California sun giving him a constant tan, if not a dramatic one. But the bunker has paled him, washed him out. A D.C. fall and winter might've done that, but never as fast as simply being underground has. Today's a rather temperate day, too, compared to the drizzly, rainy days they've ventured out before, and she's sure the outside will do him good.
Looking at him, she can't help but think of her theory, the one she'd shared with Casey before their meeting, the one she'd apologized to Chuck for not sharing with him before thanks to their constant surveillance. The idea that the technology behind Intersect was developed solely for its current purpose. To be input into a brain, into an agent. And that something happened, the project was scrapped, and the computer just became a big room, blown up by Bryce Larkin, who then sent it to Chuck. She's just so sure the Intersect was meant to be in the field, was meant to see and find things in real life, not be stationary, processing files and files and nothing else, not meant to forget the outside, forget people and the sun and fresh air.
Yet the CIA and NSA let this happen. The agent who took her place, let this happen.
All of this could've been avoided. And it feels like there's a lot of secrecy surrounding that, specifically intended to stop people drawing that very same conclusion.
Standing, she squeezes Chuck's shoulder, grabs her purse from her side.
"C'mon, I'll buy."
"I literally have no way of paying anyway," Chuck says with a smirk, and she can't help but chuckle at his phrasing even as she knows the truth in it. The agencies took most all of his possessions when he arrived here, especially anything that could help him escape. Money, identification, that would help him. And so it's probably all in a lockbox somewhere. Sarah makes a mental note to get it as soon as possible.
They make their way out of the bunker, climbing the stairs, and she watches him as he walks. He's increasingly less tense every day as they make their way outside, but she's sure he's not back to his normal anymore.
"Can I ask you something?" she queries, as a thought occurs.
"Sure."
"What's the first thing you're gonna do, for you, when we get out? What have you missed most?"
He looks at her a bit funnily, but then shrugs.
"Well, besides hugging my sister and my best friend... I don't know. I don't think I'll ever be able to just walk down the street normal again."
"Why's that?" she asks, curious, as they reach the exit. She takes out her weapons, her badge, slips them into the tray to walk through the detector.
Chuck shrugs, waiting but having nothing to deposit.
"Other than the constant surveillance I know I'll be under- you and Casey or even I guess like, a tracking device?" he asks as she walks, and she nods her head, relenting at that, before he continues and steps forward himself. "Maybe it's hard to explain, because- well this is just, your life and your job and everything but... I don't think I can ever just go back to normal now."
An agent pats him down, letting him go, and Sarah frowns as she collects her things, sets her service weapon back in her hip holster.
"What do you mean?"
They head to the final staircase to the exit, ascending it together, and Sarah lets the retina scanner check her identity before the single door clicks open. They step out of the seemingly-simple looking building that marks the entrance to the underground bunker. Just like that, at the whole process, she thinks maybe she understands what he means, but Chuck elaborates anyway.
"Spies, the CIA... it all just used to be stuff from movies and TV to me before. I knew it really existed, somewhere, but I never thought it'd be part of my life. Actually coming across it? I'm never gonna un-know it, I don't think, so I can't go back. It's like seeing The Matrix."
She frowns, following him outside, squinting up at him against the winter sun as they walk around the cover building and across the grassy space which all covers the top side of the base.
"The movie?" she asks, knowing the title only vaguely.
Naturally, Chuck looks at her, a little shocked and blinking.
"No- the, the world of the movie?"
"I never saw it," she says with a wince, and he gapes a little. She knows he's very into pop culture, media, but it's the kind of stuff she's never allowed time for.
"Wow, um. It's a lot- hard to explain quickly, but yeah the, uh, the main character realizes that the world, the regular, boring world, is an illusion- a computer simulation, and that humans are actually in these... weird pod things."
It certainly sounds different. But she gets it, as an analogy goes.
"It's like your eyes have been opened?" she guesses, and he nods, snaps his fingers.
"That's it. Knowing what this whole life is like, now, I don't think I'm ever gonna walk about not thinking about it anymore." She sighs, somehow wishing she could undo it. Just let him go back to his normal, regular life. Un-Matrix him, or whatever the right phrasing would be. "But, uh, I guess I'd just go out with Morgan? He loves the arcade in Santa Monica, he's always there. Or getting sizzling shrimp from Bamboo Dragon, god, I do miss that place."
She chuckles at the wistful tone to his voice.
"Good Chinese?"
"Awesome Chinese. Morgan's kinda an expert at finding good food places under 10 dollars."
They reach the sandwich cart as she grins at his words, oddly looking forward to meeting Chuck's funny little friend, whenever that may be. They just seem so close, almost like brothers rather than friends, and she's a little endeared at quite how much Chuck seems to care for the guy. He's had more phone calls with Morgan as well as Ellie, Sarah knows, but she also knows he's been more in contact with him the whole time he's been here, in a way. She wonders if the CIA even knows that the mysteriously-named Samwise that Chuck always teams up with in his video games, is actually his best friend from Burbank. She somehow doubts it.
Turning to the cart, she picks a chicken salad sub, Chuck opting for salami, and when they've taken their food they head to one of the wooden picnic tables not far away.
"Speaking of awesome," she begins. "D'you think Ellie's already told him about us?"
Chuck smirks a little, swallowing a bite of his sandwich before nodding.
"Oh, totally. When I call her next he'll definitely hop on and congratulate me in some super enthusiastic way. High-ten through the phone or something."
Sarah chuckles, also oddly looking forward to meeting his sister's boyfriend. Chuck has assured her the man's upbeat demeanor is completely genuine, that he truly deserves his nickname, really is awesome and finds everyone and everything else the same, but she wants to see it for herself, she muses. And she'd love to meet Ellie, too.
God, she's sitting here in D.C. excited to meet three civilians in Burbank, just because they seem nice. Just because Chuck cares about them. And so, she does too. Clearing her throat, she focuses on his words.
"Just general Awesome congratulations, or is that... maybe connected to the whole college, dating, thing again?" she checks, and Chuck nods a little meekly.
"Well, you know the college story." he says simply, like it's so obvious, but she finds herself shaking her head as the realization dawns.
"No, I don't."
And she really doesn't. He's mentioned it a few times, some bad situation with his girlfriend, hinted at things, but the information isn't in his official file, and she doesn't know what happened. Heartbreak, she guesses, but besides that she's lost.
His brow furrows, curious.
"You don't?"
"No." She keeps her expression neutral, takes another bite of her sub, and sees as his shoulders slump a little. "I only know what you've told me, your girlfriend, things ending badly. You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to-"
"No, no, I should," he interrupts, taking his own bite before breathing deeply, looking at her straight. "Someone's bound to mention it sometime, anyway. So, yes, I had this girlfriend in college, Jill. We met freshman year, we had a... mutual friend, in common. Bryce."
Widening her eyes at that, Sarah nods, encourages him.
"We dated all through college. I mean, we were still kids, we had so much to focus on too, jobs, studying, I lived in the frat house the whole time so we didn't y'know, live together, but we were together. Four years makes it at least a little serious. But then Bryce framed me for cheating."
"Wait, what?" Sarah asks, taken aback by that. Bryce did what?
Chuck just smiles a little sadly.
"You didn't know?"
"No. I- I thought you were roommates."
And why, she wonders, wasn't that piece of information included in her mission briefing. Why is it not in Chuck's profile? She'd thought his animosity toward Bryce was thanks to the Intersect- not this, too. There's a previous betrayal between them- Bryce got him expelled?!
Chuck lifts a shoulder, resigned to history.
"We were, but yeah. I, uh, I asked Casey, once, did the math; Bryce was already a spy when it happened, he'd already been recruited. I don't know why he did it, but right toward the end of Senior Year, he planted test answers under my bed, alerted administration, I was thrown out. He had to know I'd lose everything; I was a scholarship kid, I was twelve credits short, it... It crushed me." She swallows, reeling a little. Bryce, already a spy, doing this to Chuck... She's sure it's all connected, but she can't figure how. And Bryce isn't here to ask, dammit. Chuck shrugs. "And then, because of the cheating thing, Jill dumped me."
Sarah frowns at that- way to kick a guy when he's down, to not choose the side of your boyfriend of four years. But she can tell there's more, so she keeps eating, watching.
"I came home, got a crappy job at Buy More, but one day I drove all the way back to campus to see Jill... And she told me she was dating Bryce." Sarah gapes. "Just, moved right onto him. I don't know, maybe she'd always liked him but just settled with me, something like that."
"Wow. She sounds like an asshole." she surmises. To do that, choose the man who betrayed your ex, even to move on that fast after a four year relationship? When you do all that, the cruelty is more than intentional, she's sure.
For some reason, though, at her words Chuck bursts out laughing.
"Oh, you and Ellie are gonna get along well," he drawls, and despite herself Sarah feels her cheeks burning as she grins.
"You really think so? I-I mean I'd like that, but, for the cover, too..."
He tilts his head, swallows his bite before nodding firmly.
"Yeah, I do. I mean, Ellie's the nicest person I know, she likes everyone, but... you in particular, yeah." She can't help but smile at the idea, even as the concept of... well, even just having something like a friend is so alien to her, still. "Besides, she'll just be so thrilled I'm dating anyone, she'll absolutely tackle you with a big old hug anyway. And then Awesome will. Morgan might join in if he's there."
Snorting out a laugh at the idea of a hug pile-on just from Chuck's loved ones, she nods, moves on to a lighter question.
But Bryce's actions from the past linger in her mind, still. She can't help but wonder just why he would have done that, to Chuck. Because, for all the faults of her late partner- and he had many, many faults- she would never think of him as cruel. Misguided, yes. Always following his own lead, whether or not that was the right one, often. At times arrogant, over-confident, certainly. But not cruel.
And she has to question why, if years ago he framed his roommate, best friend, getting him expelled from college, dating his girlfriend- if he happily put Chuck through all of that, why would Bryce then trust him with the Intersect? Why would he do exactly as she'd thought, and send the government's biggest intelligence computer to the kindest, sweetest, most good-hearted and genuine man on the planet, if he didn't like him? And most importantly, she wonders if maybe, just maybe, Bryce knew all along that the computer would be safe and well within Chuck's mind. That that's what it could do, would do, with him. If, unlike what everyone is telling her, and unlike what all but she suspects the higher-ups and scientists think, the Intersect truly was designed to go into someone's brain. And if Bryce knew that Chuck would be the ideal combination of sheer bright intelligence, and utterly grounded kindness, to make it work.
But she can't linger on that, not now. Bryce is dead and gone, and they'll never know his motives, in any of his actions older or new. Chuck will never know why he did what he did. They're both just left in his wake.
And so she goes back to her lunch, and she and Chuck talk happily, no thoughts of Bryce or even bunkers, just real, light conversation. And the whole time, Sarah tries not to think about quite how much this feels like a date.
000000
She's in bed that night, her D.C. apartment dark like it always is when she sees it now- she spends so little time here except to sleep-, when her phone begins to blare. It snaps her out of sleep instantly, the loud noise making her hand curl around the knife beneath her pillow. But when she quickly takes stock and realizes there's no immediate threat, she relaxes, reaches for her phone sleepily. It's still early, only just midnight, but for her to be contacted at this time is a little odd. She blinks when her bleary eyes pick out Graham's name upon the screen, and something curious and a little concerned stirs within her stomach.
Her first thought is simply to wonder if Chuck is okay.
Scrambling up to sit, she answers.
"Walker," she greets, and Graham hums in acknowledgement.
"Agent Walker. I apologize for the late call, but I wanted to update you as soon as possible." He pauses there, and she frowns, that feeling growing.
"Has something happened? Is Chuck okay?"
"The asset is fine," her boss reassures in a flat, detached way, but Sarah doesn't let out the breath she's holding just yet. Graham sighs. "The scientists, General Beckman and I just came to a decision, about Chuck."
She blinks, confused. They came to a decision, but Chuck is fine- so what kind of decision have they made?
"What decision is that?" she asks, uneasy.
"It wasn't my choice. But... it's been established that Chuck should return to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving."
Wait, what? Sarah jolts, surprise flooding her. Only today she was hearing Chuck placate his sister, apologize for not getting home for the holiday in a few days. And now... they're going? It's a choice she'd have made without a doubt, but she doesn't call the shots, and she has to wonder why. This feels so out of sorts for the US government she's known so long.
"Is there a reason you decided on this?" she asks, almost tentative.
"It was agreed in our last meeting that we'd pursue routes that would see to Chuck's emotional needs. Major Casey suggested to Beckman that this could be a good thing for the asset's emotions- and you noted the strain that missing it might lead him to feel. Casey also suggested this would be a good time to establish the cover for Chuck's return. He can see his family, but hint at coming back to Los Angeles soon. After a... debate-" That means argument. "It was decided you should accompany the asset, alone. You can secure your cover with his family, too, while naturally monitoring and protecting him."
"Oh," she breathes, but Graham seems to pick up on her confusion.
"I'm aware that this is unconventional. And, frankly, if it were just me in charge I would not be suggesting this. But Casey vouched for you, Beckman too. Pack your bags, your three-day trip begins Thursday morning."
"Of course, sir," she mumbles, a little frustrated at Graham himself but oddly moved by Beckman, and mostly Casey's, rooting for her. For Chuck.
"This is a high-priority mission, Sarah, I don't have to tell you that. I'm sure you'll do your job."
Gulping, she nods though Graham won't see it.
"Has anyone told Chuck?"
"I thought I'd leave that to you," Graham says, and she hurriedly gets out of bed.
"Is that all?" she checks, and Graham snorts a laugh.
"You're not going now?"
"Yes," she shrugs. "Chuck deserves to know as soon as possible." Plus, Graham called her. He must've known that, in letting her know early, she'd quickly find Chuck to tell him, too. That's just what she does, with him. So much of this world is secrecy, and Chuck knows it. The least she can do is be honest with him. Moving on, she pulls out some clothes, balances her phone on her shoulder. "I'll meet with you tomorrow to finalize everything, travel arrangements, security protocols?"
"Affirmative, Agent Walker."
"Okay. Thank you, Director." she says, as sincerely as she can knowing he isn't the one who rooted for this. He grumbles a little and hangs up, and with an eye roll she hurriedly changes, tugging on some shoes, grabbing her coat and keys, and running out of her place.
Running to Chuck.
The base is guarded despite the late hour, of course, but the quieter time means she gets through security quicker, and it's not long before she's rushing down the hall toward that familiar blank door. One she soon won't have to see for a while. Skipping the intercom in case Chuck's asleep, she lets herself in through the scanners, and heads to the door to his quarters, knocking rapidly on the door.
"Chuck!" she calls, loud enough to probably travel to his bedroom. She would walk in and head right there, but she doesn't wanna intrude. It's the only privacy he really has, here. Knocking again, calling out to him once more, she eventually hears shuffling on the other side of the door and steps back just before it swings open.
Chuck stands in front of her, in a t-shirt and boxers, hair all puffy like he'd been tossing and turning in bed.
"Sarah? What's wrong?" he asks, frowning at her, but she can't help but grin at him.
"Nothing's wrong. At all." He tilts his head, curious look upon his face, and for some reason she feels something bursting within her, just, warmth, for him. "I just got a call from Graham- we're heading to LA, on Thursday."
He blinks, sleepy and confused and adorable.
"What?" he asks, sounding like he knows but he's not sure.
"They decided you should get home for Thanksgiving- Casey and Beckman vouched for you, for us. We can establish our cover there, let Ellie and Awesome and Morgan know you're moving back eventually..." Something like realization dawns on his face, and she steps closer. "Chuck, you're going home."
And then it hits.
"Oh, my god," he breathes, and she knows that probably only now that it's certain is he letting himself truly think about being home. Being back with his family. She can see how it all washes over him, what that truly means. Seeing his loved ones, his family, getting out of here however briefly... "Oh, my god, Sarah-"
Beaming at him, she's about to say something else, but he's suddenly stepping toward her, reaching out, and she feels as he hugs her, soft and warm but so tight, desperate. His hands are so vast and gentle against her back, his head pressed against her own. After a beat, she holds him too, clinging back just as determined.
"Sarah," he breathes, burying his face in her neck, and she just clutches him tighter, heart racing.
And she wonders why, in his arms in this moment, it feels like she's the one going home, too.
note: A chapter of connection! Again, please review, they mean a lot.