Meeting

Disclaimer: This one combines a couple of ideas I've had in my head on a take where Chuck went down a bad path after Stanford.

Summary: He's always talking about needing a meeting and its not until Sarah actually follows him one day that she finally understands what Chuck means.

For some time now, Sarah Walker had been steadily growing more and more curious about certain random vanishing acts one Chuck Bartowski did. Now, these didn't necessarily mean anything bad and thanks to Casey's insistence, had left it alone for the longest time. But Chuck's latest vanishing act, along with him muttering once again about how he needed a meeting of some kind, had just been the final straw for Sarah. Especially in light of Cole Barker's departure that hopefully this time, wouldn't see him get caught by Fulcrum again. His shameless flirting and the like had forced the Blonde Agent to deal with her ever growing feelings for the Nerd in her life, one whom, much to her horror, had been a cutter during the 5 years after Stanford. And that had been the reason for why he always wore those black arm bracers of his as he hadn't wanted anyone to see those scars. Sure, she had been also aware of the fact he had been involved with drugs thanks to the file the CIA had on him but it hadn't actually been that detailed.

As otherwise, she would have known long before the kidnapping/torture of herself, Cole, and Chuck where his scars were concerned. Chuck barely looked her or Cole in the eye after the whole thing was over with and it had broken her heart. Cole however just seemed to have a lot more respect for her favorite Nerd and that's why he had spent their last conversation trying to nudge her and Chuck in certain directions and only half heartedly flirting with her. Even his little vacation getaway idea hadn't been all that serious but the whole thing as mentioned before, had forced her once again to deal with her growing feelings. Feelings part of her wanted to act on but knew she couldn't as Beckman would never allow it due to the Handler/Asset status between herself and Chuck. Unless of course he got hired on by the CIA, NSA, or otherwise. Or she had a talk with her superiors at the CIA or one with Beckman that hopefully wouldn't end with her being thrown off the team. And so, here she was, discreetely following Chuck in downtown Burbank with curiousity burning in her.

She stopped a good distance away from where he parked in the lot of a 2 story brown colored building and saw him interact with several others as they went inside. Is this some video game thing? A comic book thing?

If so, why always use the phrase 'I need a meeting'? Did he think she would have something negative to say about it? There was no need to even think that Casey probably would considering his attitudes but to think Chuck felt he'd be judged by her hurt Sarah in her heart. Jumping to conclusions is the last thing I need to do right now.

For it just wouldn't do herself any good and stayed where she was for several minutes before taking a deep breath and got out of the car. Sarah quietly made her way inside and did her best to ensure no one saw her. Which was surprisingly easier to do than she thought as those she had seen previously weren't roaming about on the inside of the building. It was then that she heard a voice and followed it to the source, finding a room filled with people and Chuck amongst them. Sarah's eyes widened when she finally realized the full scope of things. This… This is a Support Group! This is what Chuck's been talking about all this time!? Thought Sarah to herself in stunned disbelief.

No wonder Casey didn't want her looking into it. He'd known! Making the lovely Agent wonder if he'd been to a meeting himself in the past for whatever reason. Sarah couldn't help but wonder on just how many meetings Chuck had been too since Operation: Intersect had started in Burbank and if whether or not she was in danger of losing him because of the whole thing. Oh Chuck…

Minutes later, Sarah quietly left the building, wondering what her next move should be as saying or not saying anything could go very badly. Part of her felt a strong spike in resentment and even some hate towards not only Bryce but Jill as well. Along with those at Stanford for not doing far better by Chuck, most especially a certain Professor.

Author's Notes: I had thought of her listening to Chuck's words when it was his time to talk but as I got to writing this, this just seemed the way to go instead.