A New Look

Disclaimer: I was already thinking about this before I had watched 'Chuck Vs. The Third Dimension' and found myself realizing this was the perfect way to do this idea.

Summary: Suppose Chuck had decided to take some time off after Sarah gave the okay at the end of 'Chuck Vs. The Third Dimension'? Suppose he ended up taking Tyler up on his offer because of that?

"Hey oh, hey oh! The one and only Chuck Bartowski is back!" Declared Chuck as he descended down the steps of the secret lair underneath the Orange Orange.

"Welcome back, Mr. Bartowski. I take it your one month of fun was exactly what you needed?" Questioned General Beckman through the monitor while Sarah smiled happily at seeing him and having to refrain from hugging him like she was wanting too and wanting to slap him on the arm for not getting in touch sooner with her about his being back!

Casey had merely grunted a welcome towards the man but he was honestly happy to see the Kid again. As their little team hadn't quite been the same without him for a number of reasons, though half of them had a lot to do with Walker and her lady feelings towards the Kid. Though why Bartowski was wearing a beanie still was beyond him but whatever. "It sure was, General. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for agreeing to let me do it."

"You're welcome, Mr. Bartowski. It was quite clear you needed the time before you burned out. Its usually standard practice as it is to give our people time off when they've worked too much."

"You… You actually consider me one of yours? Oh, wait, the Intersect, gotcha." And he wasn't even disappointed about that either as he knew full well where he stood with the good General.

His time with Tyler, something Ellie was torn between happiness and disapproval over, had really helped him to remember to not care so much about what others thought of him. Even if it wasn't very pleasant thinking either. Sarah was about to reprimand him when the General prevented it. "Quite the opposite, Mr. Bartowski, but that's a conversation I will have with just you after this briefing is over with."

Chuck raised his eyebrows at that, curiousity flowing through him over that. "Alrighty then, let's get to it." He declared as he sat down.

"But first, take that thing off your head."

"Oh, right, sorry! My ears have been a little cold lately." Chuckled the good Nerd as he took it off to reveal why that was.

"The haircut is a good look for you, Mr. Bartowski. Makes you look more mature."

Chuck smiled. "Thank you, General."

Casey nodded approvingly at the Buzzcut while Sarah gaped momentarily before remembering she was being watched. I can't believe he cut his hair! I LIKED those curls, damnit!

Of course it was evident that a lot of women in the area had liked those particular curls on Chuck Bartowski, Lou Palone included. And Sarah was pretty certain she only gushed about them when she knew for certain that she was around to hear said gushing. Though Chuck would probably say she's being paranoid but she knows better!

Sometime Later

"And a proper hello to you too, Sarah!" Joked Chuck as found himself being hugged rather happily by one of his favorite people in the world as they left the Orange Orange.

A hug he was all too willing and happily to return for that matter while being beyond elated over the fact that the CIA had chosen to hire him as an Analyst. Meaning that he'd actually get paid for his services and if he wanted, could leave to pursue other things if they were ever able to get the Intersect out of his head. Or if the third one currently in development was a success on whomever they chose to trust it with. Of course, he still had to work at the Buy More as part of the cover for Operation: Intersect but he could handle that. The fact he hadn't ever really used his vacation time over the past 5 years had finally come in handy as it had been a big help in being able to take the whole month off to have fun with Tyler Martin. "Ow! What was that for!?" Asked the man with a pout as he rubbed on his arm after suddenly being hit by Sarah.

"You got a haircut, Chuck! Why!? I liked how your hair was!" She replied with a frown on her face.

Chuck stared at her for a moment, wondering if he was having his leg pulled. "And yes, I am being completely serious!"

Helplessly, he turned to Casey, who just shrugged with a grunt. "Sorry, you know my policy about lady feelings, Bartowski."

Gee, a lot of help you are.

"Sarah, I just felt it was time for a change, you know? That, plus a lot of Alcohol, Tyler being Tyler, some Bubblegum, and the charms of a lovely lady named Janice all helped factor into that situation."

Sarah narrowed her eyes at the mention of this 'Janice'. Janice? Who the Hell is Janice and why was she around MY Chuck!?

Oh yes, a month without Chuck had made for some considerable thoughts to finally break free that she couldn't deny anymore where he was concerned. Thoughts that could make things problematic but Sarah thought it would be worth it. Ellie certainly thought so too even if she doesn't exactly know the full extent of things! Though Sarah was worried about whether or not he would want to continue their cover while also actually making it a real thing without being too obvious after he'd come clean about knowing what she had actually done with that Fulcrum agent. Sure, he hadn't spurned her and Sarah was grateful as Hell for that but she just seriously hoped that hadn't killed any of his very obvious feelings for her. Kid, you just got yourself in some hot water. Good luck.

Casey quickly left for the Buy More with a smirk on his face and a promise to himself to check the surveillance footage later to see how this whole thing went down. "Well… I guess I can accept that."

"Hey, think of it this way, my hair will grow back. It'll just take some time is all." Reassured Chuck.

Gosh, if she's this wound up over my haircut, wonder how she's gonna react to the tattoo Tyler actually managed to talk me into?

Something Ellie didn't know about yet but she certainly loved the haircut! Feeling it was a sign of him making progress in his life where changing and moving on was concerned. "Hmm… That is true. I suppose I can handle that."

But those curls! They were so enjoyable to run my fingers through! Though maybe now every woman around will stop talking about him!

Foolish of her to think considering her job and all but oh well! Chuck smiled and hugged her again. "See!? That a girl!"

Sarah smiled and rolled her eyes at the Nerd good naturedly. "But umm… One question."

"Ask away, but I do hope its not to ask me to be late for dinner. You know how Ellie is about that kind of thing." Joked the man with a smile.

"Oh, trust me, I know. But Chuck… Who's Janice?" Sarah asked in a sweet tone of voice that instantly sent off alarm bells in Chuck's head.

Oh boy…

Author's Notes: Uh-oh, looks like Chuck may be in trouble! Or is he? And after having seen the Christmas episode before this episode, I got to wondering, what if things had been a lot more serious? Such as Chuck actually getting hurt when the car actually hit the counter? And maybe Morgan getting shot as well? Though maybe just Chuck. I might do something with that whole notion, but we'll see!