Hey! Thank you so much for all the reviews! I appreciate hearing from everyone. This chapter and the next is very Chuck centric. Hence the name of this chapter. I will probably have the next chapter up tomorrow or maybe even tonight as I have been editing these both in the car are the ride the camp. Thank again for even opening this story and reading it. I know my writing isn't the best so thank you for reading it despite the mistakes. Thank you to all the people who are reviewing! It definitely motivates me to get the chapters up faster!

Chapter 4: Chuck vs People That Care

November 22, 2012 (Thanksgiving)

Chuck and Amelia struggle to the say the least. Most people have time to prepare for the child, but Chuck has nothing. Sarah gives Chuck only a small diaper bag with a few onesies, diapers, formula, and bottles and Chuck has to figure out the rest. He is unprepared for everything single fatherhood brings, but at least Amelia is a tiny baby and doesn't mind to much if they have to run to the store to grab something they are out of. His mom ends up basically moving in for the first few weeks to help him juggle the baby, work at the Buy More, and everything else. Morgan, Alex, and Emma are also there despite juggling their own lives. Ellie and Awesome want to fly out, but the hospital in Chicago won't give them time off due to just moving there. Everyone eventually settles into a routine not to long after Amelia's surprise arrival. Chuck hold hope that Sarah will come back. That she will magically remember. It doesn't happen and all he gets from her is a simple text of 'I am fine. Hope all is well," once a week.

The holidays come around and Awesome, Ellie, and Clara are able to fly in. They meet Amelia the first time and fall in love with the little baby. Well, Devon and Ellie do. Clara isn't so sure as she isn't the center of attention anymore. Chuck walks in to prepare a bottle in the morning and is surprised to see Ellie has taken over his kitchen to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

"Ellie, I thought we agreed no big dinner," Chuck says as he gets the formula out.

Ellie just turns around and smiles, "It was one of the planned surprises for this holiday."

Chuck turns around and looks at his sister, "There's more than one?"

"Chuck, yes! There is more than one," Ellie sighs mentally debating whether to tell Chuck now or later with everyone else, "We planned on telling everyone later, but we are moving back to Burbank."

Chuck looks at his sister shocked about this revelation. They moved less than a year ago to Chicago. He thought she and Devon liked Chicago and he knows she is worried about him, so he jumps to the only logical conclusion.

"Don't move because of me," Chuck says shake his head, "Millie and I are doing okay."

Ellie looks at her brother and realizes what he thinks. That he thinks that Ellie is trying to help his situation and moving just for him and his daughter.

"While Amelia may have been a big factor, I think we just don't belong there. It doesn't feel like home," Ellie states like the fact is clear as day, "I know people say give it time, but neither of us are happy with the hospital. Especially, when even after I explained the situation, they still didn't let me have time off. The hospital here might pay less, but it is still a lot of money. I also want Clara to grow up having some family around her and with Mom permanently here for the foreseeable future it makes sense, Clara just has me and Devon. It is too late now as we have already bought a house here."

Chuck smiles and accepts that his sister and her husband have made up their mind. He wonders if there is really a problem with the hospital or it is a reason that Ellie is giving Chuck. He is happy she is moving back to Burbank, though.

"I am honestly going to be happy to have you home even if it is just because you are trying to help," he says giving his sister a questioning look, "I also have multiple things to tell you. I bought the house and I was hired by a small software company. Carmichael industries is going to be on the back burner for awhile, but considering I am finally out of the Buy More that is okay."

"Wow," Is all Ellie manages to say at first. It's Ellie's turn to look shocked and that she does. Chuck finishes making the bottle and before he heads off Ellie has collected her thoughts enough to continue. "Chuck, that's amazing. Finally, out of the Buy More, that's a shock. How did Morgan take it?"

Chuck turns around as he walks backwards down the hallway to his daughter's room. "Surprisingly, well. I think he understands that even though he is happy there being manager and all, it was never the place for me."

Ellie smiles brightly as she watches her brother go handle his baby. She is proud of him for not falling into that deep depressing whole he was in five years ago or even the one he was in just three years ago. She guesses that having something that depends on him makes him have to continue and not be in that situation, but still she is proud. When Ellie heard about Amelia, she was so worried about her brother as he wasn't in the best place. Now, he seems to actually have his life back on track minus the wife which isn't his fault.

Thanksgiving goes off without a problem surprisingly considering all things in their lives. Jeff and Lester don't make an appearance despite the text Morgan supposedly got early in the morning asking if they had turkey. Morgan gets his second favorite side dish. John and Gertrude even end up making an appearance, surprising everyone. It was the first time Casey has been back since he left to be with Gertrude after the Quinn incident. They get to meet Amelia and the little baby already has the Colonel and his girlfriend wrapped around her finger just like she has everyone else who she meets. Captain Awesome and Ellie tell everyone their plans on moving back and Chuck tells everyone next year, Thanksgiving could be at his new house. Everyone seems to be enjoying the feast and family time. After everyone has left, Chuck sits on the couch holding little Millie in his arms and tries to call Sarah hoping she picks up the phone. When she doesn't Chuck just sits there and lets the tears run down his face.


February 7, 2013

Christmas and New Year's pass with no problem, either. Awesome, Ellie, and Clara resettle into Burbank this time in a house not too far from Chuck's own. The house is everything he and Sarah both wanted a year ago, but she isn't in there to live in it with him. He is doing okay until when the anniversary of the beach comes around, Chuck calls off work because he just can't go in and work in his emotional state. He ends up not even wanting to get up and get dressed to drop Amelia at daycare.

Morgan someone how knows Chuck is home even though Chuck has no idea how. Morgan lets himself and Alex in with the key Chuck gave him because he didn't want Morgan climbing through windows looking like a burglar in this nice neighborhood where Chuck doesn't know his neighbors. Boxes are still sitting in the dining room not being unpacked yet.

"Chuck, why don't we go out to lunch? I know today is rough, but Alex is taken care of little Mills, and everything will be okay," Morgan says as he sees his best friend laying on the couch. Morgan is happy to see it isn't as bad as when he went to Hawaii with Anna and Chuck got kicked of spy camp, but something needs to be done before it gets that far, "Please?"

Chuck looks up at his friend but doesn't say anything. His face stays emotionless. He is hurting and no one can help him besides a certain blonde who just texts him an okay text every week.

"Chuck, I know it hurts, but you have someone who needs you. You have a daughter who is going to need you because she is already down one parent," Morgan says hoping that something clicks with his best friend.

Chuck sighs and decides he may as well go to lunch with Morgan. He gets up and gets dressed and him and Morgan leave. Alex is sitting on the couch taking care of the tiny little girl when they leave. They end up a Chinese restaurant because he is with Morgan. They eat and discuss his new job, which he isn't exactly happy with, and the Buy More mostly staying away from the topics that bring back the depression. They finish eating, leave the restaurant, and head to the Buy More to pick up somethings that Morgan needed. They end up spending awhile there just talk to everyone Jeff and Lester are back from their failed Germany Tour. Chuck is not surprised but doesn't say anything. They eventually escape the trap that is the Buy More and head back to the house with the white picket fence and red door. For most of the car ride, the conversation is lighthearted most of the way home, but as the get closer to arriving, Morgan changes the subject.

"Chuck, I am telling you I still believe you will get your one magical kiss, fairy tale ending."

Chuck looks at his friend wish he could jump out of the car. He still has the intersect in his head, but it won't work because he is emotionally compromised.

When Chuck doesn't say anything, Morgan continues, "Maybe you should call her today. I think she will remember your beachiversary and maybe today is the day she'll answer the call."

"Morgan," He huffs, "I'll call her if you promise to drop the topic." He really just doesn't want to deal with this now.

"Done," Morgan immediately says, "Now that we finished that, I have an idea for Carmicheal Industries."

Chuck sighs almost regretting leaving the house even though he needed a break and loved catching up with his friend who he feels like he barely sees.

"I heard through the grapevine that Verbanski Corporation is having some trouble with security protocols, hacking into security systems, and all the rest of that stuff that you can do…. and I was kind of thinking maybe you should talk to her and Casey about partnering with them and being the cyber security, cyber terrorist, side of her business. You could work in her Burbank location.," Morgan says all in one go not letting not letting Chuck interrupt him.

"That's actually a pretty amazing idea. How long have you been thinking about this one buddy?" Chuck says totally surprised. It is obvious his friend has thought this through.

"Since a good bit before little Millie was dropped off with you. I actually already ran it by Casey, and he thinks that will help him and Gertrude. Casey think that Gertrude would even let you basically run your own company within her company," He tells Chuck as he turns down the road where his best friend's new house is.

Morgan and Chuck go into the house. Chuck is surprised to see Alex is sitting in a chair with not just Amelia in arms, but Clara also who has a children's book in her just barely two-year-old hands. He turns the corner to his living room and sees almost everyone he cares about in sprawled out on every chair of his living.

"I thought we could have a game night like we used to have," Morgan says squeezing past Chuck to enter the room.

Molly jumps up from the floor as soon as she sees Morgan enter and begs to play Mario Kart with him. Morgan tells her as it is Chuck's system, she asks to ask Chuck, so Molly turns to him and Chuck just gives a smile and a thumbs up to her and find the only open seat on the couch next to his mom. A game of Uno is already being played by most of his family and he waits to join just enjoying his life.

The night is fun, and Chuck ends up actually happy for the first time in a little over a year. He ended up talking to both Gertrude and Casey about Morgan's idea and they both agreed that it was a great idea. At the end of the night, everyone agrees to do game night at least monthly and says their goodbyes. After everyone leaves and Chuck puts Amelia, he lays down on his bed and does the thing he promised his friend he would do earlier that evening.

Chuck listens as the phone rings. He doesn't know what to expect.

"Chuck?" Sarah says picking up her phone. She wasn't expecting his phone call but answers it as soon as she sees who it is.

"Sarah!" Chuck says smiling as he just sits on his bed as happy as he can be given the circumstances, "I just wanted to check up on you. Make sure you are doing okay."

"I am doing okay. I have been going on a lot of missions. How are you and Amelia doing?"

With Sarah's question about him and Amelia, they fall into a steady conversation and end up talking for hours. Before they hang up Sarah says she wants to visit and that she promises to call more. The calls do happen, but it is a long time before Chuck sees his wife.


July 5, 2013

Chuck sees his wife's spy friends long before he sees her. The morning after the 4th of July, he wakes up, grabs Amelia, walks down the stairs, puts his daughter in the highchair, and goes to get her bib where he keeps them in the living room. He is surprised to find both the trustworthy members of his wife's C.A.T. squad days passed out in his living room reminding him of the morning after his wife went out with them before their wedding. He doesn't even want to know how they got into his house this time.

He goes back to the kitchen cuts a banana up and puts it on his daughter's highchair tray. Chuck decides he'll make breakfast for himself, Carina, and Zondra. He is almost done when both the girl's come out of the living room and into the dining room.

"Where's the wife, Chuckles?" Carina asks as she steals a piece of banana from Amelia's tray and sits down in the chair closest to the little girl. Zondra sits down next to her.

Chuck freezes as he puts down the plate of eggs and bacon he made, "You guys don't know?" He hasn't seen them since the wedding, but Sarah was talking to them regularly before Quinn.

"Don't know what?" Carina asks. Zondra just shakes her head as she puts the food on her plate.

"Sarah had an accident lost the five years of memory of her life, her life here in Burbank, back last January," Chuck answers sitting across from Carina.

"She what?" Zondra asks why at the same time Carina asks, "That's her kid right?"

"Lost her memories. And yes, she ours. Her name is Amelia and it is a long story. I am sorry that I didn't contact you guys. I thought she would, honestly. You are one of the few who are still alive and she was friends with from her days before meeting me," Chuck realizes he is spiraling and stops himself, "If you have the time and want to hear the entire story, I'll tell you."

"We have time since we aren't exactly government spies anymore, due to having save Sarah before your wedding." Zondra says.

So, Chuck tells the abbreviated story of what went down with Quinn and Decker, stopping to explain the intersect. He doesn't care about what he is allowed to tell them anymore as he knows they are two of the most trustworthy people he knows. They gave up their careers for his wife. They move to the living room as he starts to tell them about Sarah dropping Amelia off hours after she delivered her. He finishes telling what has happened in the almost year since Amelia was dropped off and asks if the two C.A.T.s sitting in his living room if they have any questions.

Both girls sit there silently in shock just watching the tiny blonde hair, blue eyed baby crawl on the floor. Chuck watches them as the process what happened to their friend. It doesn't surprise him when Carina is the first to speak up.

"I just can't believe she went back to the C.I.A after what went down. I can't believe she left you, Chuck, and with a baby!" Carina says picking up the little girl who has crawled to her feet.

"I can't imagine what she must be going through. I didn't change that much in five years like she had, and I know I wouldn't want to lose those years." Zondra adds looking back to Chuck.

"Yeah. I don't know exactly why she felt the need to go back, but I believe the C.I.A is kind of her safe place. It is all she really has had," Chuck tells the C.A.T.s kind of trying to keep from crying

"Honestly, Chuck, to me that makes sense. That is pretty much the most stable life, she remembers," Carina says, "You said she still is in contact with you, right? That is defiantly a good sign."

"We talk on the phone almost every other week now which is defiantly progress for the no contact other than the I'm okay texts before January," Chuck says looking at his little girl on Carina's lap, "I just wish she was her for Amelia, but I know she is still struggling. I know she is back to the spies don't have emotion mindset. I can hear it in her voice that she is struggling with the fact her memories aren't…." Chuck pauses because his phone rings. "sorry, I have to take this it's work."

"Go ahead, Chuck, we get it." Carina says tickling the little girl in her lap.

Chuck gets up and heads out of the living room to take his phone call from the desk at Carmichael Industries leaving Zondra, Carina, and little Amelia sitting in the living room. The call is rather quick and was just a call asking if he was going to be in today, but when he walks back into the living room he see his daughter has slid off Carina's lap and is now taking her first steps ever toward Zondra as she hold out her arms welcoming the young girl into her arms. Chuck just smiles at the scene.

"All good, Chuck?" Carina asks

"Yeah. The phone call was nothing," Chuck says sitting down. When Carina shoots back a questioning look Chuck adds, "those were Millie's first steps. She has been standing for a while, but she just hasn't managed to move forward until no."

"I wish Sarah was here instead of us to see that," Carina says looking at her friend's husband who so desperately wants his wife back, "I think she was the happiest I have seen her when she was with you, even in those early days when it was a cover."

"I wish she was, too." Is all Chuck says with a sad smile. It feels good for Chuck to hear Carina say that Sarah was happy because sometimes doubt does creep into his mind that she never actually was happy, and she was never in love with him. He doesn't mean for it to, but it does.

The two C.A.T.s spend a few more hours with Chuck and Amelia. They mostly play with the little girl. When they get ready to leave, they tell Chuck they will definitely be back and plan on visiting more often the every few years drop ins and if he needs anything let them know. They also tell Chuck they are going to talk to Sarah as they walk out to do whatever free-lance spies do. Chuck spends the rest of the day hoping that Carina and Zondra can some how convince his wife to come home.