Authors Note:

The following story is very different for me. Before I get into that, I do not own Chuck. Not sure it would do any good if I did.

Now to why this story is different. First, and most important, the following story is based on a true story. I was originally involved in the story, and over time I met people who gave me updates. Second, I hope imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. I shamelessly stole a few minor plot points from JWatkins. I can tell you I already checked Waitress is better. If you haven't read it, finish this chapter and go see how much better it is. Finally, My goal was to make a hallmark Christmas Movie, but it took me a long time to get back into writing.

That brings me to the people I want to thank. First, Thank you Zettel foe reading this and sending it right back to fix it. I then decided to get most of the story written before I posted a chapter. The story should be less than 10 chapters.

I also want to thank the facebook group titled Chuck Fanfiction. It reminded me how much fun it is to write.

April 1997 Westside Medical

Ellanore Faye Bartowski, a tall brunette around 5'11, was helping clean up the trauma room at Westside Medical. After finishing, she let the charge nurse know she was leaving for lunch. She didn't want to miss her appointment. However, when she looked into the mirror she stopped immediately; her brown hair framed a thin, almost gaunt face. The classes to become a physician's assistant were tiring enough, along with working full time as a RN, but she was working OT, oh yeah, and taking extra clinical hours. So how's that working out for you?

Sarah Walker was sitting at the restaurant waiting for her friend. She was a bit taller then her friend, and her blond hair was diffidently different. She was the same height and they both had a real passion to help people. She had only known Ellie Bartowski for a few months, but they were already great friends. Sarah's eyes got a bit misty for a moment. The move to Louisiana was necessary. The promotion was her dream job. Plus, it was in New Orleans, her kinda town, but it was going to be hard to leave her friends.

Sarah looked up from the table and saw Ellie making her way to it. Sarah stood up and hugged her friend. "Ellie!"

After exchanging greetings, the ladies sat down. "Well it looks like your hugs are still intense, but how have you been sleeping? Are you ok?""

"Wow Sarah Just go for it"

"I learned from the best," Sarah said, as she lifted her drink to take a sip.

"Yeah, Yeah, I'm not sleeping too well. My little brother is struggling. He's always had trouble with his self esteem. His ex-roommate accused him of cheating, then the ex-roommate slept with the now ex-girlfriend... So, definitely don't want to talk about that. Well he's now working almost constantly on his new company, trying to launch it. So on top of that, one of my favorite people is leaving, but since it's a fantastic opportunity, I can't get mad at her. So, yep, that about covers it."

Ellie looked at her friend's face and her tone softened when she saw the look of sadness. "Sarah, I'm sorry. I don't mean to dump all this on you. I'm really glad for you. Besides, it doesn't matter. None of what's going on with me will matter later. Chuck is healthy, and I raised him well; he'll recover." Ellie smiled, her first real smile today. "By the way, I found out today, I will finish clinicals a year ahead. All I have to finish is a surgical rotation."

"That's fantastic! Uh, oh, Ellie, be careful."Ellie said after looking left then right. "There's a Dr Woodcomb that's in that department. I hear he's completely unsuitable for someone like you. A bit of a jock, party animal."

Ellie's eyes got real wide and said "sounds like you've tested the merchandise."

It was her friend's turn for surprise. Ellie laughed and said, "I know you wouldn't do that. So when do you leave?"

"The hospital has me flying out this evening and then the movers will head to New Orleans in two days."

Even though Ellie was smiling, a small tear fell down her cheek. "I'm going to miss you so much."

October 23rd, 2017 Maurice Highway 4 miles from Lafayette Louisiana

Lt Col John Casey was not happy. His unhappiness would have been visible to anyone that could have seen him. Face drawn, eyes partially squinting, his jaw unmoving. He Joined the Corps right out of high school and then went to OCS and became an officer, he busted his tail to get into aviation even though him being 6'3 made it difficult. When he was asked to join the NSA he took it since he could do more to Protect and Defend the nation. Now he was wiping the noses of high school kids that had decided that going JRROTC was a way to get out of the house, or that it would look good on a college application.

It was better than the retirement package the NSA had proposed, and it was still a job. Unfortunately, it was no longer a career. Casey grunted when he thought that doing this was

better then selling stuff out of a retail outlet. He shuddered when he thought of that ugly green Buy More polo.

He refreshed the anger he was feeling when he thought about the reason he was driving on this stupid road at 8 pm, in the fog, when the Reagan documentary was on. He was asked by the school principal to attend an anger management class. Anger management: he could handle his anger just fine. The only good thing: he was in Lafayette, Louisiana where he could keep all the guns he wanted — and it was red, such a pretty, pretty red area during elections.

He slowed his car down because he remembered from experience to slow down as he approached the curve in front of him. Casey saw there was a gorgeous '71 Nova and a modern look-a-like Trailblazer on the other side of the curve. He pulled over to see if he could help. The Nova had its driver side open and could see a woman bending to do something to the driver in the car.

As he approached the car he saw blood, a lot of blood. At least a lot more than he was expecting. A thin brunette was mumbling to herself. Casey could barely make out "Come on... Almost there..."

When he looked at a different angle he saw what she was doing, She was cutting into the neck of what appeared to be a dark haired teenage girl. When he got a little closer he saw she was performing a tracheotomy.

"Ma'am, do you need some assistance? I have some medical training."

The woman turned quickly and Casey had to grab her wrist that the scalpel she was holding was in. She looked down and relaxed her arm. "I'm truly sorry sir, you startled me."

Ellie, looked sheepishly at John and said a Kurt "No"

After nodding in the direction of the patient "What happened?"

"I got here a few moments ago. It looks like she lost control of her car, and with no airbag, her throat struck the steering wheel, crushing her larynx."

Casey stood up and figured he wasn't needed. He said, "You seem to have this in hand. I'm calling 911 and I'll direct traffic till the Leos get here."

"Leos?" The woman asked.

Casey smiled "Local Law enforcement. Sorry, I'm a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps. It's a bit of slang. Let me leave you to...um...what you're doing."

Our Lady of Lourdes ER October 23, 2017

Casey walked up to the waiting area. He had wanted to ride in the ambulance but was denied. He felt it was his duty to make sure that he followed this through for Lisa. The deputy who was in charge of the scene had let him know the victim's name.

He looked around and saw the woman who saved Emma's life walking through the lobby. When she saw him, she smiled and said, "What are you doing here?

Casey looked at the floor and said "It was the right thing to do."

She shook her head in approval. "The good news is Lisa is alive. They don't know what condition she will be in when she wakes up." After a helpless gesture she said "Well, I have done all I can. I have to head home to Baton Rouge, so I can see my family for the first time in a week."

He put out his hand and said "It was a pleasure to meet you then. By the way, my name is John Casey."

She took his hand "Well, it was good to meet you. My name is Eleanore, but my friends call me Ellie."

"Are we friends?'

"We aren't enemies, but a Good Samaritan is always a good guy in my book."

"True, true, don't you want to wait for Lisa's family?" He asked.

"No, and please don't tell them my name. I did this because it needed to be done. Besides, the family is going to be really busy."

An our later Casey was approached by a nurse. "The paramedics said you were at the scene of the crash. Do you know the family?"

"No ma'am, I do not. I just thought I should be there."

"Well there is someone here to meet you."

She pointed to a statuesque blond woman with blue eyes who smiled a weak smile and said "I have been told you helped my daughter. She is in a coma, and I wanted to thank you, and ask a question."

"It was nothing ma'am. What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if you know who was the person who saved Lisa?"

Casey looked directly at her and said " Ma'am I do, but she wanted to stay anonymous. By the way, I am John Casey."'

The mother gave a small smile and said, "I'm Sarah Walker."

AN 2: I edited this chapter to fix a couple things. Everyones hair color is back to normal.