Here's part 3

Disclaimer: I do not own any rights on anything associated to Chuck, the tv show and the characters and storylines they involve. This is a purely fan-generated story from a different perspective if a few events were changed, and if attitudes were different.


Recap:

Chuck grinned and said "Oh, this? (Pausing for dramatic effort)It is my own special concoction. Here. Take it." Saying he threw it into the air where it released its aerolized contents, dousing all the people present. Sleep tight. "You are going to be paralyzed for the next eight hours. So, good luck."

Unbeknownst to him, one operative had stayed woth the helo to ensure no once compromised and so all his comrades fall. So, he started firing at Chuck with his handgun. Chuck was hit in two places, in his right shoulder and in his stomach.

As the operative approached Chuck., he holstered his weapon and took out a tranquilizer and fired. Chuck closed his eyes within seconds. Just as he was losing focus, he saw the operative shot in the head and a worried Sarah hovering him, applying pressure to his wounds.


Chapter 4: The Cynic's team and the good doctor – Part III.

Chuck's throat feels scratchy. Completely Parched. His eyes fluttered open to a white room that smelt sterilized to extents that could only be associated with clean rooms, bio-hazard labs and hospitals. The constant sinus rhythm and an uncomfortable sensation in his arm made him feel queasy. He tried to talk. His thirsty esophagus had other ideas and didn't let him get anything out but warm air with a growly sound. A screeching sound that resembled a chair's legs dragging along the floor assaulted his ears. Another moment and a straw was jabbed into his mouth with water dripping slowly from it, partially granting his vocal cords respite, enough to produce sound understandable by human eardrums.

A flash of blond hair, that was slightly curling at its ends brought back all that happened. "Ugh… Did I really get myself shot?" Chuck moaned as he felt a billion pins in his right shoulder and stomach.

"That will teach you to follow our instructions in the future… It's to keep you safe." Sarah's amused voice rang out clearly in his ears.

"I can't believe you are using my pain to turn it into a teaching moment." He then got a clear look at her face. Seeing genuine concern, he smirked and remarked… "Aw… The cold-hearted, steel-nerved CIA assassin cares for me." Then his smile turned into a frown, "Or maybe it's the intersect. Can't say which…" He felt high. "Am I still sedated?"

Sarah was a bit peeved that he kept misconstruing her moments of affection into a powerplay to keep the intelligence safe. Yet, it was her job and she shouldn't think along those lines. So, she answered him with a sadistic twist. She pressed his wounded stomach. When he yelped at the sudden influx of pain, "The tranquilizer was potent stuff. Meant to keep you out for nearly a day. You have been here roughly four days and 17 hours. The bullets put you into a shock. A lot of blood loss didn't help. You have been recovering and i…" She stopped suddenly. "We were worried. Besides, since Casey and I were pretty badly lashed out by our bosses, your job is going to get a lot harder. No more relaxations and other rule deviations with you… We'll see how you like it." The evil grin told him that she was going to enjoy it so much.

Then it registered to him she said four days… "Umm… We may have a problem." Sarah's smile vanished and a look of that promised hurt to anybody that threatened him took its place. It was endearing, really, The protective streak that Sarah has for him, and he took a lot of elation in that, made her a lot more human to him than anything else they did. However, this was bound to rebound onto him when he revealed the next words.

"Ellie knows." Whatever he had expected, it wasn't this… Shock on Sarah's face. A new expression for sure. He had seen distraught, angry, sad, confused, happy, goofy and sexy. But, shock was new. Cataloguing it into his Sarah ledger. "Or atleast she most probably does…" trailing off in the end.

"What? How? When?..." she was spluttering. "It happened because I was out…" Her penetrating stare made it clear that he had to elaborate. With a sigh he began his explanation. "Well… When you and Casey made death threats on that rooftop, I realized my life was basically forfeit. (On her sad gaze) I guess I picked up my slightly depressing yet immensely paranoid instincts in… you know. Anyway… You may know my family history, probably from the file you had on me at the start or from just me maybe blurting out sometime.

Ellie's basically all I have and I all she has. Although, that will change when Devon bends the knee. Anyway… I may have disappointed her, but I don't want her to think I abandoned her if something was to happen to me now. So… I created something like a video will – I told everything. How I became the intersect. How I managed to get the two best assassins doing protection detail for me. Even the truth behind my expulsion in Stanford. Everything. I programmed it to send out that video to Ellie if I was not back in 84 hours. I haven't entered that code in about 110 hours. That email should have been sent roughly 16 odd hours ago… Assuming that she hasn't seen it yet, it is upto you to delete it from her email…"

Sarah was truly speechless… When she began formulating words, it wasn't good. "I think she knows. She was very frosty towards me and Casey when she last visited you six hours ago. The visit before last, she was friendly and you know… Ellie-like. (Deep Sigh) This is a mess, Chuck. We told her so many lies on how you got shot. Twice… We said that there was gang violence and two misfires went through your window. (Pause) If only you trusted me enough to tell her what would have happened."

Chuck looked in pain. He trudged on anyway. "Sarah… I trust you. Truly. I trust you to protect my life. As long as it is within CIA's interests. Beyond that? I am not sure. I have known you for four weeks and I still don't really know what Bryce wanted, how you got involved in all this and what the intelligence community will do to me once I finish my purpose. For all I know, I may be taken out… for the sake of national security. Would you do it? I am not sure. What I am sure of is that you and Casey have done it multiple times in the past. So… I couldn't really know if you would just give a fabricated story to her after I outlived my purpose. It was something I had to do."

There was a heavy silence… The reality of his words washed over her giving her a glimpse into the bleak nature of his mindset and his outlook of the future. She was an agent. In reality, as long as Graham had no reason to suspect her, and she continued to do his bidding, it was unlikely she would fall in anything but the line of duty. Chuck, however, was an asset. Same rules do not apply. And she couldn't truly understand them. The fear for her life is not palpable in the same he feels - her way was the adrenaline-high and blood rush she got from life-threatening adventures for CIA. She didn't tell Chuck before because she was struggling with her conflicting emotions with Bryce and their failed romance, Chuck's bright optimism yet mixed with bitter reality, Ellie's overbearing nature to get them integrated into her family and just the tumultuous nature of this assignment. It was not as boring as she thought it would be… but it isn't as easy as it should have been.

Besides, in the month she had been here, she began to feel the something rare around Chuck, in a way she never felt in the past – even with Bryce – a sense of belonging. The way she went above and beyond the cover, helping him with his gunshot wounds, fretting over every inconspicuous movement when he was out unconscious and chairing the last four days constantly at his bedside barring a few short periods in between, it was clear she was compromised more heavily than ever. She knew she wouldn't be able to carry out a kill order and if it comes down to that she would do her best to dissuade Casey, try to change her superior's minds about the termination notice and give Chuck an opportunity to make his getaway without outright being treasonous. No matter how confident they were that his life is expendable, she had seen his goodness in action.

Few days after their beach date, when Sarah arranged for another cover date, Chuck asked for it to be pushed to another day because he already had plans for that day. She followed him to an orphanage, a children's sick bay, a homeless differently-abled shelter and an ex-con rehabilitation camp… Everywhere he went, it seemed no matter how grim and sad the situation might have been, he lightened the atmosphere, bringing a brightness in otherwise dark lives. Yes… he was paranoid and mistrustful and vengeful and almost always furious. At the same time, he still retained the goodness in his heart, even if it was curtailed. She had robbed people of this goodness in her childhood. She had been robbed of this throughout her life. She vowed to keep this small light in her gloomy world alive as much as possible.

"Chuck… I know I haven't given you much reason to trust me. I can't ask you trust me implicitly without sharing something with you. So, here goes. I and Bryce were more than partners. We were lovers. I once foolishly believed that we had a future… but it didn't pan out as you know. Whatever the reasons maybe. (Pause) I know Bryce isn't your favourite person in the world. Me being his girlfriend or partner or whatever was bound to make you distrust me. (Heavy sigh) Believe it or not… your opinion matters to me. I didn't want to face you if you only had mistrust written all over your face or suddenly you started treating me differently because Bryce and I had something in the past." Sarah confessed with a timid smile filled with uncertainty.

Chuck couldn't believe his ears. She actually told him something substantial about herself. In the month he had known her, he only knew two things about her – she was a wet-work specialist and Sarah Walker was the CIA fabricated persona for her with so many more in the intersect as aliases. However, she opened up to him about something as personal as her past relationship. That's massive.

"Firstly, I need to say Thank You. (On her surprised look) I know this isn't really your favourite assignment. Asset management maybe something you truly excel at, but you feel that you have deceived enough people in your life that you don't want to continue doing this in the future…" At the eyebrows retreating into her hairline he sheepishly admitted, "I may have scoured through psychiatry and psychology when I was free for three years. So… while I may have been a bit distant in the beginning, I am sure it wouldn't have really changed my outlook that much Sarah. You have invariably looked out for me from the beginning, and I can't just throw that out because you dated the devil," he said the last bit smirking, and Sarah started laughing hard. Once the laughter died down, he continued, "Look. You are a great person, Sarah." At her deadpan look, he protested, "You truly are. It's just like a diamond in the rough. You do no let anybody through the rough exterior but you did me… So thank you."

Sarah's eyes seem to glisten for a second but that was gone as quickly as it appeared. However, her beaming smile was etched on her face and it made Chuck feel warm all over. "Besides, I am jealous of Bryce… He always got the great girls and you are truly extraordinary…" It seems the intensity in her smile increased manifold.

Sarah reached over and stroked his head… "If this is some ploy to get me and Casey to go easy on you, you are wildly mistaken." And the seriously tingly moment devolved into comfortable chuckling. Yet her face conveyed her gratitude for his implied compliments and trust.


Two Days Later, Chuck's Apartment

"Sarah, I appreciate your help with settling back into the apartment. However, I don't want to impose any further. I am sure you have some other work to do… let Casey take over. He was itching to take a few shots at me anyway. Might as well get it over with… Did you and Casey makeup?" Chuck was steadily walking over to his apartment from the stairs, as his building's elevators were non-operational. Sarah was hovering over him like a dotting girlfriend – an irony considering she was his girlfriend in a manner of speaking.

Sarah huffed out, "Chuck, I am your girlfriend and I am not going to let my boyfriend struggle after being shot twice… I mean how bad of a girlfriend do you think I am?" While all she said was merely for reinforcing their cover, as they discussed in the hospital for any onlookers possible, the expressions on her face made it clear that she wouldn't be going anywhere in the near future. Cover or not. Unless Casey was there. Not only was it their orders, but also it was her own desire to help him out for a few days.

As they opened the door and entered, they came to a sight that was rather hilarious in hindsight, but downright frightening when encountered in the moment – Casey sitting on the couch with a genuinely scared expression and Ellie's furious posture and gaze. "Chuck… I think you can take it from here. After all, I had that thing I had to do, So, I'll see you later." Sarah was about to take off when Ellie's voice crackled, "Oh! Don't bother. I cancelled your session with the spa. We need to have this discussion and we need to do it right now."

Sarah had faced a lot of people. Powerful, Vengeful, Violent and Horrifying. Yet, Ellie's expression conveyed that no matter her skills in combat, if she didn't acquiesce to her demand, life would become very hard. So… she took her heavy slow steps, pulling Chuck along with her to the couch and took her seat next to Casey and as far as possible from Ellie.

"Look… I get it that you felt the need to hide the sci-fi shit in Chuck's head from everyone else. What I don't get is to act like his girlfriend?" Ellie never beat around the bush in matters that cut close to her heart. Sarah didn't really have an answer for that and decided that the default answer should suffice… "It was orders from our boss. It was either this or him living out the rest of his days in a bunker, underground or some secluded place far away from his family… So… between a rock and a hard place."

"That gave you the right to parade around as his girlfriend? In fact, why did they even give an alternative? I mean, no offense Chuck, with his convict status, shouldn't they have just thrown him into a bunker claiming his flight risk or whatever?" Again, right to the heart.

Sarah blushed a miniscule amount. "Actually… I helped arrange that. As I had more time to… interact with Chuck, I… convinced the bosses to allow him to remain in his current environment. Generally, the defer to the agent who cultivated the asset (wince) in the first place. So… this was the only way."

Ellie looked surprised at that and then took on a grateful smile. "Thank You for that. I truly appreciate everything you have done in this… unique situation. I am sorry that it came to this to get the truth though. (Pause) I guess my brother is going to be making a truly world-changing difference. (Glaring at him) If you hide anything from me ever again, as big as this, I won't speak to you ever again. Are we clear?"

Chuck's eyes grew wide… "Sis… I can only tell you what I am permitted to tell you. Or they would haul me away before you blink."

Ellie narrowed her eyes… "These two?" Chuck replied… "Not necessarily. They can have someone else perform the extraction without their knowledge. So, please. Just forget you know any of this and hopefully everything will pass as proper."

Ellie was pissed off now. "Ignore? That my brother's brain is in a catastrophic position, loaded with some idiotic fantasy that nobody knew would ever work and still happens to work properly on you? What if you go brain dead? What if it causes loss of memories. Loss of critical brain functions like involuntary body processes? There are so many things that can go wrong, Chuck."

Casey responded, "Look. It isn't exactly ideal for us as well. All our intelligence is now only with your brother. In his head. If we had a backup or some other measure, it would have helped just let him be. But, Bryce created this problem and there is no way to fix this. I am sorry to say this, but your brother's life, no matter how invaluable it is to you – it doesn't stack up against millions of potential lives lost if the intel in his head wasn't retrieved or accessed from time-to-time."

Ellie blew a gasket… "Doesn't stack up? I am doctor. I save lives. Every life, no matter how critical, despicable or crappy is as important to me as the President's. So, don't give me the bullshit of importance. There is always another way… it may not be the easiest way, but there always exists another."

Casey realized that they were both on the opposite ends of the spectrum. And any further arguments or responses is only going to worsen this disaster. His boss is going to have a field day… Not to miss the CIA. He screwed up. He didn't look for any contingencies the asset might have had to leak his current role. Now… it's a mess. No clean clean-up possible at the end of this operation. To appease Ellie, he just grunted. Chuck however, would have to watch his back for a few weeks.

Ellie steadied herself… "Alright… Here's the deal. I want in."

Chuck blinked… "What?"

Ellie repeated. "I. Want. In." On seeing their confounded expressions, "You need a qualified neurologist working on this project. Obviously… if you want to retain the intel and keep the intersect in tip-top form, you will need someone you can trust. Someone who will not only lookout for all the errors but will also take care of the host. Who better than his sister? I can also be your emergency physician… Treat your wounds locally instead of sending you to the hospital every time."

Chuck replied after a short silence. "Ellie… I don't think this is a good idea. You would have to hide a lot of things from Devon and he won't like it. Not to leave out but I don't think you and their bosses will get along in the slightest. Another reason, this world is full of death, destruction and carnage… Our naivete will get us killed or hamper their job. It will also change you in ways you would never have imagined."

Ellie bristled at what Chuck was suggesting… "Chuck. I know I hurt you in the past by… not believing you. I am sorry for that. I believe you now. But, you are my brother. My last blood relation and the closest thing to any semblance of a family. So, no matter what, regardless of the darkness and the shit I have to deal with, I am not letting you go now. Family first. Okay?"

Turning to the other two… "Put this up to your bosses. I am willing to completely drop all my neurosurgical aspirations and will join this team - Chuck, you (at Sarah) and you (at Casey), be your medical support and work on collecting data to help improve the intersect functionality as well as make sure my brother doesn't have an unexpectedly short life. Please… I begging you both. If you do this, we will forever be in debt."

Casey was moved. He would never admit it to anybody, but this level of family and kinship was astounding. To think of his dysfunctional life and the one he gave up to be a robotic, cold-hearted, knife for his country at times weighed heavily on him. Yet, this touching moment forced open that heavily guarded emotions chest in his heart. He may not be able to completely let the asset off the hook – no matter how good he is. Orders are orders. But, Ellie and her wishes were another story. Besides, he believed they were getting a much better deal. And the asset would be a lot more cooperative and compliant. A win-win.

"I'll convince my bosses. But, you will strictly be medical support and you will work out of an NSA/army base somewhere close by. Your pay won't be that good so be warned. And you need to convince your boyfriend without revealing anything at anytime. I am sure Sarah will support me on this." Casey looked at Sarah.

Sarah was hesitant to bring her into the fold for a number of reasons. She didn't want Ellie to be corrupted by this world. Yet, she was overwhelmed by her steadfast nature of needing to help her brother out. So she agreed… with hesitations.

Ellie smiled brightly… "Well... This was a roller-coaster. (She bent down low and whispered into Sarah's ear) I know you both were only a pretend couple, but you looked genuinely happy when you thought none was watching you – like getting excited when the doorbell rang or when we were about to taste that souffle. You may fool everyone else, but I know that you truly like him. Now… you get to decide. Do you want to continue this or not? Don't languish Sarah. My brother may have in the past been shy… But, he is no longer that shy. He won't wait too long. (Loudly) Chuck… I was contacted by someone claiming to have Bryce's will and he said you needed to come by his office tomorrow morning. Here's the address (handing him the paper)."

She looked towards Casey… "I expect that I can start the job in a week? I hope you have good news in the morning. I already drew up my resignation papers that require a certain overruling to pass. See you later. Tonight. Dinner at my house. All of you."

And she strode out the door leaving behind three people gaping at what just happened, trying to comprehend Ellie's little manoeuvre of manipulation and the sheer audacity and fierceness she brought with her. Chuck was elated to not lie to his sister as much any longer. Sarah wasn't sure what to feel, but butterflies and a slight revulsion at any broad with Chuck didn't help. Casey outright grinned – this assignment just got immensely more exciting.


Hey guys… So, part III in this arc is done. This completes the Zarnow arc fully.

Last Part a few of you took issue with Sarah's sexual past. I am clarifying once again – As an intelligence agent, it is a tool for them. Just like coercion, compliance, money, blackmail and so much more, sex is a tradeable asset for them.

To be more accurate, it is like a phone. Some love to be on their phone all the time. Others hate it. Practical ones look at it as a tool… Same here. However, Sarah prefers to refrain from sexual entanglements as much as possible. She uses more of the other tools like drugging and questioning techniques.

In case she had feelings for someone, an asset or a target, she had a tryst for a night to rid herself of the superficial attraction. She is no nun, but she doesn't give it out as freely as Carina or other agents. Besides, her mostly intelligence gathering and wet-work style missions didn't need her to extensively use that particular tool.

Next Chapter deal with Bryce's will and consequences from there. If you feel it is moving too slowly, I am sorry. But, I like taking time in descriptive and imaginative stories. Thank you for you support. Until next time. Probably next month.