Chuck walked into the Buy More, feeling himself sigh.

But this time, it was more of contentment.

It might not be where he wants to end up, but he was very nearly sentenced to living in an underground bunker—nearly both Fulcrum and CIA—and he was only that much more aware how thin the thread of his freedom was.

So, he walked up to the Nerd Herd desk, clocked in, and found himself smiling.

Right now, he'll take boring over the excitement of the last week.

"Chuck-o!"

Chuck looked up, seeing Morgan smiling at him. "Morgan," greeted Chuck with a grin of his own.

"First day back, huh?" said Morgan, shaking his head. "Wasn't the same without you."

Chuck smirked. He looked around a little, something seeming different in the store. It was only then he realized that there wasn't a tension hanging in the air. Looking at Morgan, he asked, "Emmett's not here?"

"Nah, he's out on sick leave."

Chuck raised a brow. "Sick leave? Why?"

"He cut himself on a packing knife."

Chuck's brows shot up. "Wait, seriously?"

Morgan grinned. "Cut his hand during the safety meeting. Left in an ambulance. I think he needed a stitch."

"A stitch? As in one single stitch?"

"He's seeing a specialist about it."

Chuck rubbed his temples, shaking his head.

Life back to normal, it would seem.

And yet..

He was perfectly okay with that.

"You sure you're okay, babe?"

Ellie tore her eyes from the door, from where she was lying against Devon on the couch. It was almost midnight, and the movie they were watching was nearly over.

Ellie hadn't any idea what the plot of the movie was; her head was still on Chuck. It's been a week since their… experience. But her mind had been on him the whole time.

Just a few hours ago, Chuck left, claiming in front of her and Devon that he had a date with Sarah.

But he caught Ellie's eyes when he said it, and Ellie read the truth right there.

There was some sort of mission.

Because Chuck was a spy.

Something she still couldn't quite wrap her head around, even though she'd seen it with her own eyes.

"Yeah," said Ellie distantly, answering Devon's question, tearing her eyes from the door.

Devon rubbed her shoulder. "Chuck's all right, El."

She tensed a little, surprised he read her mind. "I know," she whispered, not quite convinced.

Not until she saw him walk through that door.

"You know," said Devon, looking at her as he turned off the TV, mid-movie. "Ever since Chuck's accident," he began, and Ellie tensed even more, "you two have seemed… I don't know. Closer."

Ellie's head cocked, realizing that was certainly true. No giant lie hanging between them anymore.

"I'm not saying that what happened to him was a good thing," he said quickly, "but… I believe in silver linings. And I think we definitely found it in this one." He laid his head on the back of the couch, telling the ceiling, "I have three brothers." A faint, sad smile. "We weren't ever all that close. But when I met you, and seeing your relationship with Chuck… it's something special. I know that Sarah coming in made things harder…" Ellie's eyes fell to the floor, knowing it was more than just Sarah. "Sometimes things like this happen for a reason."

Ellie felt herself smile, his words calming the tension in her.

He kissed her head. "I've got to go to work in an hour. I'm gonna get some sleep in before I do."

He got up and left, and Ellie felt herself smiling.

Maybe things do happen for a reason.

"Ellie… as much as I hate this… I've saved people. I can't wait to get this damn thing out of my head, but… I never thought I'd, y'know, matter like that."

Maybe some things do happen for a reason.

Chuck had never once thought he was meant for anything, always thought he was just normal guy.

But after what Ellie's seen, he was anything but.

She wanted that Intersect thing out of his head as soon as humanly possible. But the fact that having it allowed him to see himself differently…

Maybe Devon was right.

Maybe that was the silver lining.

That, and the connection between Chuck and Sarah, that she was quite certain neither consciously knew was real.

And though the day she learned his secret was the scariest moment of her life…

It did bring them closer together.

Ellie smiled, her eyes back on the door

Chuck sighed tiredly, opening the front door.

It was almost three o'clock in the morning. Tonight's mission was a stakeout that quickly became far more than just a stakeout, and for the last time, it was never safe in the car.

Though the mission was a success, Chuck sustained yet another injury; Casey had thrown a Fulcrum thug against the van, hard enough to shatter the window Chuck was seated behind. He'd managed to cover his head, but his hand got minorly cut up. It wasn't a big deal, and he was done with worrying everyone. He ignored it until now, feeling it sting.

Intending to bandage it and collapse into bed, he walked inside.

"Chuck?"

Chuck stopped, seeing Ellie sitting on the couch with a mug of tea. She'd quickly put it down and got to her feet, looking tired but relieved.

"Ellie?" he said. "Did you… wait up for me?"

Smiling sheepishly, she said, "Kinda."

Chuck felt himself deflate a little. "El… you don't have to—"

"I wanted to," she said quietly.

"—worry about me," finished Chuck.

But Ellie smiled, a touch of sadness to it. "I just found out my brother's a spy," she said. "Give me some time to get used to it, okay?"

Chuck smiled. "Right…"

Ellie suddenly noticed his hand. Brows shooting up, she said, "What happened?!"

"I'm okay," he said quickly. "Really, just some broken glass and—" But he stopped himself, looking at Ellie. "Can you… help me with it?"

Ellie's eyes snapped to his.

Something so touched colored her eyes.

She nodded quick, and smiled. "I'll go get the first aid kit."

Chuck smiled, taking a seat at the kitchen table, and Ellie came back seconds later, sitting next to him. He put his hand out for her, and they were quiet as she dabbed at the small cuts with a Q-tip that burned with antiseptic.

Once bandaged, Chuck smiled. "Thanks, El."

She smiled too. A brief pause settled between them, before Ellie said, "So, what was the mission?"

Chuck blinked, stunned for a moment with the realization he had some freedom to actually discuss them with her. Minus details, but still…

It was something that felt so… nice.

"Something that should have been boring," he said with a sigh.

Ellie got up to make them another pot of tea, and she listened as Chuck told the brief story of the events of the mission, leaving out any details that might put her in danger.

She shook her head when he was done. "I still can't believe this is your life," she whispered.

"You and me both," agreed Chuck with a tired laugh.

Ellie shook her head a little, in a sort of wonderment. "You impress me, Charles."

Chuck smiled. "I really just stay in the car," he admitted.

She shook her head. "You've impressed me long before I knew your secret, Chuck."

Chuck smiled at the genuinity.

"And believe me," she added. "I know Sarah feels the same."

Chuck paused mid-sip. He looked at Ellie, something stirring in his chest. "You really think so?"

"I know it," she said with a grin. "She might not yet, or might not admit it yet, but believe me… she's yours."

Chuck smiled, warmth filling his chest. "Thanks, El." Standing, he said, "And, I promise. I will get this thing out of my head," he promised gently. "I'll be back to being regular-old Chuck Bartowski in no time."

Ellie stood too, cocking her head. "It's a little too late for that." Kissing him on the cheek, she smiled. "You're a hero, Chuck. Whether you believe it or not."

Chuck smiled. "And you're mine."

Ellie smiled too, bidding a goodnight, and Chuck watched her go.

And he felt just a bit lighter.

a/n: the end. :) I hope you guys enjoyed the story, and thank you so much for reading! :)

~cosette141