AN- Interlude before the next story parallel. Ellie was often ignored in early seasons. She was brilliant, and obsessive about solving problems. We saw that in later episodes. The coffee shop that shows up is based on a couple of small town shops I've been in.
Sarah vs a Girls Day Out
Sarah woke up feeling very warm, and comfortable as the little spoon. After a moment's confusion she realized Chuck had to have picked her up and taken her to his room. She never even stirred. Which said bad things about her spy reflexes and good things about her trust levels. Awesome, as Devon would say.
Snuggling in deeper, she thought about going back to sleep. It was Saturday and none of them had to work. Nothing had been on the 'spy' horizon, so nothing should… her eyes snapped open. Ellie. Girls day out. She stiffened and looked at the clock on the nightstand. 8:05 AM. Crap. I have only the spare set of casual clothes in the car and I think I shoved a dirty set of fatigues under his bed a week ago. I hadn't had a chance to fix up the go-bag after ransacking it...
"Ugh." she groaned softly, then started to extricate herself.
Chuck tightened his grip on her and murmured. "Stay. Sleep good. Day bad."
"I have to get up, Chuck. I'm supposed to go out for the day with Ellie. I need to pop out to my car for clothes, then shower, and…" Sarah replied, but was interrupted by a kiss. "Mpnmph… Morning breath, Chuck. I also need to brush my teeth. And I didn't bring any of my stuff."
Sleepily, and reluctantly, he let her go. Then said, into his pillow. "Bought you stuff. Under sink."
"You've got me stuff for here?" she asked, surprised. He hadn't said anything and she hadn't asked… "What kind of stuff?"
"Toothbrush, toothpaste, hair… stuff. What Ellie called basic essential makeup. She helped, took over rather." He sat up, rubbing his eyes. "That OK?"
"I… Thanks" Sarah stopped and just hugged him. They were both just too adorably considerate.Why just think it? "You are adorable and considerate. You will stay here today? Just play games or stay where Casey can keep an eye on you?"
"I promise, I'm going nowhere today excepting perhaps back to sleep." He smiled and gave her a gentle push. "Go have fun. Bond with a non-spy."
Ellie and Sarah sat in kitschy mismatched velour upholstered chairs, around a table meant for a patio, in a small restaurant that was filled with similar combinations in an eclectic mix of indoor and outdoor furniture. The overall effect was to feel a bit like it was trying to look like a yard sale, possibly in the 70's. Random 'vintage' household items dotted the dining area, all for sale. It was a charming blend of shop and bakery.
Taking a bite of her chocolate croissant, Sarah let out a happy little half sigh, half moan, and chewed with appreciation.
"Sarah, I don't need to hear that about your croissant." Ellie said, suppressed laughter showing in her eyes. "It gives me a disturbing insight into how you spend your evenings with my brother.
"Mrpmh, so good." Sarah replied around the mouthful, chewed and swallowed. "Why has Chuck not taken me here before. These are a near religious experience." Pausing for a moment, she looked at Ellie and shrugged. "There's Chuck and there's chocolate. Both provoke different physiological responses."
Ellie laughed out loud. Then she shook her head. "This bakery is something I don't want Chuck to tell Morgan about, so I didn't tell him. For the sake of Devon and I, I protect our coffee and baked goods. If Morgan knew about this place it would be consistently sold out of the good stuff." Ellie laughed again. "I'll paraphrase a British army officer I heard on the History Channel, I could save lives without caffeine and sugar, but would prefer not to."
Sarah's eyes narrowed and she set her cup down after washing down the bite. "So, you let me in on the secret bakery and fed me amazing food because?"
"Well, so we'd have energy for shopping. I do want to talk and show you my favorite spots. I wanted to make a good impression, you're important to Chuck." Expression sobering, Ellie shrugged. "To be completely honest, thought, I hoped to start on a good footing. Get some questions answered first, while I was on home turf and you were carb loaded, questions about your relationship with my brother. We talked last night and a that was a lot, really. However one of these things is not like the other." she pointed at Sarah then took a drink of her coffee. "You don't make sense and doctors, well me actually, I'm unable to leave a puzzle alone."
"I don't make sense?" Sarah repeated, cautiously.
"First, you stand out even in southern California – a place known for pretty people, as extremely attractive. Second, you drive a what, ninety thousand dollar car? Third, you are staying at a pricier hotel/long term suite. Fourth, you work at a job where the income doesn't match any of those things let alone your intelligence. Fifth, new to the list, you dated Bryce. But you came here from DC. He wasn't in DC that I know of based on that newspaper article, but he does match the car and the hotel… Lots to dive into there. Sixth, you fairly aggressively pursued Chuck. Who does not match the car and the hotel and you. A chance meeting doesn't seem to explain it..."
Sarah bristled, "Now wait, Chuck is…"
"I know, I know. You really do like him. I can tell." Ellie cut her off. "But you have to admit, it doesn't line up. Nor does Casey working the Buy More when he's obviously a Marine. And still in good enough shape to be active duty, but curiously… isn't. I should know, I've treated enough of them in the ED after they get stupid on leave. And right about the time you show up in Chuck's life, this Marine that seems to have an almost unhealthy interest in Chuck's comings and goings moves in across the courtyard."
"OK." Sarah said in a flat tone after a moment. "So, what's your analysis of the situation?"
"Chuck is mixed up in something dangerous. And you and John are part of it." Ellie said, her expression betraying her worry. "I've seen some of the bruises and cuts Sarah. Don't try to deny it."
Sarah nodded. "I won't. Lets take a ride." She rose and dropped two twenties on the table. "I'll drive." I've already set myself up to possibly burn my career for Chuck, may as well go all in and blow my cover for a civilian friend.
Sarah glanced over at Ellie, sitting white knuckled and very straight in the passenger seat, as she wove through traffic. She could tell the brunette doctor was apprehensive and not just from the speed and lane changes.OK, probably mostly from the speed and lane changes.Sarah reached over and clicked off the radio. She checked her telltales and there were no detectable transmitters outside of their cell phones. She flipped a switch to bring a low power signal jammer online.
"Relax Ellie, we're just driving to the beach. I fully intend on seeing those shops with you later." Sarah smiled, a bit grimly. "If we were going to cause you harm we wouldn't have to drive out here to do it. It was a tough call but the baked goods clenched it in your favor."
"That's not exactly comforting." Ellie replied.
"It wasn't meant to be."
A few minutes later they pulled up to the parking near the water. Sarah had chosen to explain things in the same place that she'd asked Chuck to trust her. The spot held a special significance in her mind now. The wind and water noise would help with mics and clear sight lines would help her see anyone that might take an interest.
"OK, we're here. To go with that Matrix movie that Chuck loves. Red pill or blue pill, Ellie?" Sarah said. "We can leave now and just go shopping and forget all this. Or you can leave your purse, phone, pager, and anything else here, because there's a limit to how much I trust this signal jammer, and come down to find out how far down the rabbit hole goes." As she waited something clicked in her head. Bryce… you unimaginative douche… that's why you chose 'Anderson'.
Ellie looked at her then opened and closed her mouth. She appeared to be thinking. "Why here?"
"Its noisy enough to discourage listeners. I can see if anyone is watching with good sight lines. Mostly though, because its our spot, Chuck and I." Sarah said with a small smile.
"Your spot?"
"Its where Chuck and I ended up after our first date." Sarah replied. "So?"
Ellie looked at her again and then began by putting her purse in the foot well and dropping her phone and pager on it. "I suppose I should just leave my shoes. The sand will get everywhere." Sarah nodded.
After a moment, Sarah followed suit leaving her smaller purse and phone. She upped it by leaving her issue watch and the necklace with emergency beacon she'd been wearing. Then she took a breath. "OK, Ellie. Don't ask any questions. Just don't say anything yet and don't freak out." She waited until Ellie nodded. Probably a bad idea to leave this, but I need her to trust me…
Sarah sighed and took her S&W from its place at the small of her back and slipped it into the glove compartment. She added her ankle holster of throwing knives. Then she closed and locked it, and got out of the car. She started walking to the beach without looking back.
The beach was uncharacteristically empty for a Saturday morning. Only a few uninterested surfers out on the water. No one was within a hundred yards. Sarah walked about halfway to the water and sat in the sand, facing the car and the woman slowly walking towards her.
Ellie reached the same spot and sank down into the sand. She seemed to be groping for words and half whispered, half yelled. "Sarah why do you have a gun? And knives! What the hell is going on?"
"Lets keep it lower than a yell, Ellie." Sarah said in a normal tone, waving her down. "I have a gun and knives because, I need them for my job."
"What. Do. You. Do. Sarah." Ellie ground out.
Sarah took a deep breath. "I am a case officer, sometimes called an agent, for the CIA. I work in a covert capacity. Put simply, I'm a spy." she raised a hand to stall any interjection. "John is Major John Casey, and he works for the National Security Agency."
"How… why… What does this have to do with Chuck?" Ellie said in a near panicked tone. "Is he safe?"
"Don't freak out, Ellie. Breathe. Chuck's fine. John's keeping an eye on him for me." Sarah smiled as reassuringly as she could. "The last thing I want is for anything or anyone to hurt Chuck."
"Why does someone need to keep an eye on him. How did you end up involved? Are you and he some kind of… setup, a job? What the hell Sarah?" Ellie said in a rush. All in all, Sarah thought, she was doing quite well.
"Do you want a story, or short answers to the questions…" Sarah trailed off studying Ellie's face. "OK… Chuck's life and freedom are in danger because of government secrets he was exposed to. We'll get to that. My original reason for being here was to recover them, and became a longer term one to protect Chuck. Same for John. Our first and primary mission is to keep him safe, Ellie."
She paused and continued at Ellie's gesture. "I was just supposed find out what he knew, but it didn't stay that way." She smiled. "Chuck… gets to a person. Its causing problems with my bosses. I'm not supposed to care about him like this."
"So, you really do…" Ellie was groping for words.
"I really do…" Sarah paused. "Ellie, I don't come from a good history or any healthy relationships. I know I'd do nearly… scratch that. I'd do anything to make what he and I have work. I can see where it will lead, and I want that." she sighed. "He's special, Ellie. I'm trying to be the person he needs."
"That sounds pretty real, Sarah." Ellie said, finally cracking a smile.
"That's your concern then? Not the secrets. The danger. The spies in your lives?" Sarah asked wryly.
"Oh no, I have questions about all of that." Ellie replied. "They were just less important. I just need to know that he's OK. I'm not sure he'd survive something like what Jill did to him again. Tell me you're in this for real, please."
Deep breath… you're committed. Sarah nodded firmly. "Well, if you want to know that..." She looked up and smiled in memory. "Being a spy you rapidly lose any sense of innocence and wonder." she paused. "Ellie, five minutes after talking to him… I believed in it again. He had it in excess. Just goodness. I knew before he'd fixed my phone that he wasn't a 'bad guy' and was pretty sure my mission was a bust already. How would this guy have any secrets?" She paused a moment, thinking. "Did he tell you about the little ballerina?"
Ellie was looking at her with her own grin slowly growing. "No, but now I desperately want to hear it."
Sarah related the story of the hapless husband and the little girl in the pink ballet outfit. As she neared the end of the story, Ellie was covering her mouth with her hand to hold back giggles, and dabbing at tears. Finishing up, Sarah delivered the line that had gotten her right in the heart. "And then, Ellie, I thought Disney animals were going to sing. Chuck leans over to this little girl who looks like she's having the worst day of her life, who they always made dance in the back, and says 'Can I tell you a secret? But you can't tell the other girls. Real ballerinas are tall.'"
"Oh my god." Ellie gasped.
"He smiled and that girl lit up like a sunrise. I'm fairly sure that if there had been any other single women in the vicinity there would have been a stampede." Sarah smiled, and then grimaced. "However then, after I left my number for him, the doofus didn't call me."
"NO!" Ellie exclaimed. "He didn't say anything about that! Then how did you end up on that date?"
"A combination of still having a job to do, and a desire to actually get to know this guy to find out if he was real or some kind of lab created kindness robot." Sarah giggled, as did Ellie. "I went back to the Buy More, and I think he'd had a bad day because he was bouncing his head off the counter, muttering about some of the more disgusting idiots he works with. So I reached over to hit the bell and he grabs my hand without looking and starts mumbling about Morgan and not now. That may have had a bit to do with my break in and the accidental destruction of his computer. I feel bad about that, I should really pay for the replacement..."
"That was you! I heard the story, but now its just that much better instead of scary." Ellie giggled again. "I guess he figured out it wasn't Morgan's hand."
"He looked up and I've never seen anyone get up so fast. He let go of my hand, but I figured he'd say.. I dunno anything?" Sarah shook her head. "He proceeds to ask me if I was still having phone trouble. I swear, the reason he was single is the fact that he's oblivious."
"That's Chuck."
"So, I was forced to deploy a line that would have gotten me kicked out of the CIA classes on 'Infiltration and Inducement of Enemy Personnel'" Sarah said smiling, then noted Ellie's blank look. "Seduction School we called it." Ellie turned a bit pink and Sarah continued. "Where was I.. oh yeah. He'd said 'Phone trouble again?' And I used the clumsiest pickup line I think I've ever come up with. I hit him with a smile, looked him up and down, then said 'Yeah, I'm not sure I'm able to receive calls… 'cause I never got one from you.'"
"You didn't." Ellie said, disbelieving.
"I was on a clock." Sarah smiled. "So, I did, and it worked... finally… when Morgan threw him under the bus and said his schedule was open. He's so straitlaced sometimes… he totally blocked an agent who is essentially a walking advertisement and has no qualms about using her… assets."
"That's almost as adorable as the little ballerina." Ellie said, eyes narrowing. "Wait, was this the friend who tried seducing him?"
"Yeah…Carina" Sarah replied.
Ellie grinned widely. "Minus the spy stuff, totally getting used in my toast at your wedding reception."
"Uh what?" her voice rose to a squeak.
"You've got it bad. Like, I'm trying to decide if I should just start calling you sis now or wait for him to propose. Haven't you talked to anyone about this?" Ellie said, shaking her head.
"Ellie, I don't have any spy friends I'd talk about this to right now. The primary one is on my shit list for trying to steal my boyfriend." Sarah smiled thinly, trying to hide her worry. "Lets get back to… Wedding?"
"I'm shocked you guys haven't been to Vegas and back already." Ellie said seriously. "You're so cutely perfect together its, frankly, nauseating sometimes. Literally anyone who's seen you and him, I hear things like that."
Sarah's brain went into a loop at this. Everyone sees it? Do my bosses? More importantly, am I ready for something like that? Is Chuck ready? I mean I haven't even told him...
"Sarah, breathe." Ellie grinned wryly, obviously amused by the reversal in who was calming whom.
"I…" Sarah stopped, literally unable to find any words.
"Its OK, I didn't mean to freak you out." Ellie said, kindly. "I knew Devon was it for me before I knew his last name. When its right, its right."
"I… had this epiphany a few weeks ago. It was so clear and I knew I'd never be able to act on it." Sarah said finally when her mind calmed. "Do you remember that art auction?" At Ellie's nod, she continued. "It was a mission, of course, not really Chuck's or my normal thing. Just capturing a previously untraceable arms dealer. No big, we're finding out its kind of par for the course with this team. Anyway, the important part of the…." She saw Ellie's expression of mixed fear and disbelief.
"Ah. Yeah. Chuck… he's disarmed bombs, saved my life – repeatedly, helped us ID and capture the aforementioned arms dealer, saved a Chinese spy's brother's life and turned her to our side, and helped stop a group funding terrorism. In his first months working with us." Sarah smiled gently. "Ellie, he's done things… stupid things, but always the right thing if you get my meaning. Even if he won't stay in the car." she shook her head. "Chuck told me how you basically finished raising him. You did it too well. The man is a bit too heroic and selfless for my own sanity, and only partly because its my job to keep the idiot alive."
Ellie gulped, and took several deep breaths. "So was that it? The epiphany?"
"No. That was just me explaining what I meant about the art auction." Sarah sighed dramatically. "Anyway, one of my 'wake up dummy' moments was standing outside the limo with him. He was a bit awkward in that tux, nervous too, but was really trying to keep it hidden. Trying to do a good job that he had never really signed up for. I was there in this red dress, trying to focus on the mission. Being distracted by how flustered Chuck was. Casey had been winding him up." she giggled. "God, the whole tango thing…" Both women barked out laughs. "Anyway, he helped me out of the limo and there was this instant. I just kind of heard a rushing noise in my ears and he had this look on his face."
"Let me guess, like you were both standing there alone? Like he didn't see anyone but you?" Ellie's smile grew bigger.
"Well, I was going to say like I was the only woman in the world… but yeah. That. The first time I really considered he might…" Sarah sighed. "That he might feel the same way I did." I probably shouldn't mention my near freak out when I found him tied to that chair after we busted into the room. I'm just lucky Casey didn't see me.
"So, that was when you decided to… wait you were 'dating' as a cover right? That had to be super uncomfortable for you both." Ellie said sympathetically. Sarah nodded. "So you decided what exactly?"
"Nothing at that point. I was too wrapped up in protocol and my own issues." Sarah shrugged. "That blow up we talked about last night? That was pretty much all true. It pushed me… Took the blinders off."
Ellie nodded, obviously remembering.
"Anyway, that was how the 'cover' became… not one. I am going to work behind the scenes with Casey to try to get some changes made so that I can be a little less circumspect about things." Sarah grew serious. "Until then though its vital that I maintain a balance of it appearing to be just a 'cover' so they won't try to send me away for being 'compromised'." Sarah snorted. "Compromised is the spy term for 'acting like human being'."
"So my nauseating cuteness comment didn't help." Ellie replied.
"Yep. I freaked out at the thought that I'm giving too much away day to day right now." Sarah said with an uncomfortable smile. "Its a difficult balancing act."
"I'll help." Ellie offered. "You're family. Bartowski's will do anything for family." She grinned evilly. "It will be official once he gets you a ring I'm sure."
"Thank you." Sarah swallowed at a sudden lump, knowing that was likely to be literally true. Feeling closer to this woman she'd known about two months than anyone else short of Chuck or Carina. Maybe its time you got a 'second opinion'."This is going to sound crazy, but I don't actually have anyone else I'd ask… Ellie, how do you know if...? I mean I know what I think... kinda, and there's your reactions. But, how did you know?"
"Oh honey. That's different for everyone." Ellie replied and looked at the almost distraught expression Sarah couldn't keep from her face and sighed. "Lets try hypothetical scenario, shall we?"
Sarah frowned.
"Say you were out with Chuck dancing. He goes to the bar for drinks, you take a run to the bathroom. When you come back, a pretty little brunette of about Chuck's shoulder height is talking to him. Laughing at what she's hearing. Touching his arm. What do you do?"
Irrationally, Sarah felt a surge of anger as Ellie finished talking. She suppressed it and tried to answer, but couldn't focus."That was awfully specific. Does he like brunettes? Do I have one I need to watch for? Maybe I should color my hair, would he like that? In this hypothetical am I allowed to use my training? It would be easy to hide a body in the bathroom, just make it look like she'd drank too much and drowned in the toilet…" she was spiraling but she couldn't stop it. "Ellie, if you know about some other girl, so help me I'll…"
Reaching over and putting a hand on Sarah's shoulder, she interrupted. "Stop. Its just a question, the sort of thing that might come up if you two were out. I'd bet something like it has already but you may not have thought about it in a 'mission'."
"Yeah, well I got to beat the hell out of that one and cuff her to a post, so that worked out." Sarah said absently, then her eyes narrowed. She completely missed Ellie blanching. "You're avoiding answering me about brunettes."
"Well, you get jealous, don't you." Ellie replied gently. "The very thought of someone else around him or with him makes you angry and worried."
"I don't get…" Sarah stopped her reflex answer. "Yes, alright… dammit. I get jealous. He's mine, Ellie." She paused, blinked. "I mean… I don't…" she blinked back a prickling in her eyes. "I need him, Ellie. He makes me better. I can't lose him, I won't."
"Sweetie..." Ellie patted her arm. "I know my brother, Sarah. He's probably freaking out. After all he went though, he's terrified of pushing you away, or that you'll leave because he's not enough." Ellie said, and cocked her head to the side. "Are you at least going to admit it to yourself?"
"What?"
Ellie gave her a flat look.
Sarah took a deep breath. "You're not going to drop this are you." her tone made it not a question.
Ellie shook her head in the negative.
Sarah looked down.
"Its for your own good. You need to say the words." Ellie prodded smiling.
After another deep breath. And then another. Sarah considered her friends, trainers, and her Dad's comments on feelings. OK. If spies don't fall in love, you must not be a spy anymore. At least not completely… and I'm fine with it.
She looked at Ellie, nodded, and said firmly. "I love him, Ellie. I'll spend the rest of my life trying to showing him just how much." Then she smiled helplessly.
The squeal Ellie produced was likely heard in orbit. "You are going to make the best sister." She threw herself at Sarah and hugged her fiercely. "Hold onto that and you two will be fine, no matter what else happens."
Nodding, she pulled back from the hug, and her thoughts returned to a previous point. "Now, brunette? Petite? Shoulder height? That's awfully specific."
Ellie looked up like she was praying for patience or strength and then sighed heavily. "Fine. Jill."
"Jill. Stanford Jill." Sarah bit out. "The one who hurt… my Chuck?"
"Yep"
"Right, OK then. Now I now why there's an issue with brunettes." Sarah said in a decisive tone, nodding firmly.
"Sarah, you can't…" Ellie started to say and stopped at Sarah's expression.
"Oh, I could. It would be almost trivial." Sarah said coldly. "Its one of the things I'm good at. One of the things I never wanted to be good at, but here we are." She sighed then. "Chuck wouldn't like it. I won't go after her. I won't make any promises though if she shows up somewhere."
Ellie looked at Sarah for a long moment as if trying to read her mind. "If you are quite done considering murder, I have one more question about you and Chuck." She paused until Sarah nodded. "Are you going to tell him what you told me?"
"Yes... soon. It was easier to say it to someone else." Sarah smiled. "When I finally get the chance, you may need earplugs. Or to take Devon and get out of the apartment for a few hours."
"And I say… ew." Ellie patted Sarah's knee. Then straightened. "OK, so I've got a handle on you and Chuck. And I'm available for girl talk. Back to my other questions. What government secrets would put Chuck into those situations and that many in matter of weeks."
"Right. Well, remember you can't talk about this, Chuck's life depends on that Ellie. There are people who would kidnap him or just kill him if they knew. His best protection is secrecy right now." Sarah waited until Ellie nodded. "I have to get some NDA forms for you to sign later. If I'm going to tell a neurologiwhatsit about what's going on, we may as well be able to use her." Sarah said, finishing in a considering tone.
"What's going on that you'd need one for, Sarah. What kind of secrets are we talking here?" Ellie asked.
"Are you familiar with the idea of subliminal images? Or encoded ones? Inserting data into the human brain via… special pictures is the only way to describe it." Sarah asked.
Ellie blinked at the odd questions. "I've seen some theoretical papers. Nothing really conclusive. One Stanford guy, Flemming, if I recall…" she paused. "That was Chuck's professor the one who got him kicked out..."
"Lets say I can prove that you can cram a truly staggering amount of data in to the human brain using I can't even begin to imagine how many thousands of images." Sarah looked Ellie right in the eye. "Like just about the entire NSA and CIA classified network."
"Into Chuck?" Ellie said, worried. Her face looked like a doctor though, not a sister.
Sarah looked and tilted her head for a moment considering. "Yes. Its called the Intersect and it's software was designed to correlate and store immense amounts of data. I wasn't told everything about it though. I do happen to know the technology was originally intended for something much like what happened to Chuck. To be carried around in a mind, not a machine."
"I can imagine the strain it has to be putting on his brain. I mean, I know he's smart but there are limits." Ellie pursed her lips. "I'd normally say its not ethical for me to work on a family member, but in this case I don't think anyone else is better equipped. I'll need to see some… hmm… How does this thing work? And have you seen any physical effects?"
Sarah complied, answering, "An external source. A picture, a person, name. Sounds. I don't think I've seen him 'flash' on a smell or anything like that."
"Flash?"
"Our shorthand for when the Intersect puts a bunch of random facts together and serves it up to Chuck's conscious mind on a platter. He'll draw the weirdest bits of information. Like figuring out a wanted arms dealer is in town from a picture of a painting in the paper. Or seeing a ring I was wearing, or hearing a date and place I mention, and getting a full video of me… on a mission. Or when Casey, damn him, gave him a name and he saw another of my mission reports." Sarah shook her head. "I'm sorry it kind of ruined that souffle. Lets just say Chuck had good reason to doubt me at a dinner party just then."
"We'll talk about that sometime. What I'm curious about here is that it seems to always been external stimuli and so far only two senses." Ellie considered. "I wonder if other things could be loaded that would engage the other senses? Or be accessible with conscious thought or in the same way as other memories. Or if you could implant something into the motor cortex?" Sarah blinked and raised a hand, but Ellie was still talking. "We can research that I suppose. You didn't answer me on the 'physical effects'."
"I don't think I've seen anything serious? On a particularly large amount of data he seems to get a momentary headache. It also seems to take over his eyes and he just kind of stands there for a moment, a bit like a seizure." Sarah smiled. "I've not had a single… issue with him physically. Even going full throt..."
"Oh god, please no don't say anything more about that." Ellie shuddered. "Just let me know if he ever seems to have issues with coordination or loses weight or has anything like personality changes. We can talk more about things to watch for after we do a checkup. Lets focus on his head as it is now. What's your goal, to what, get this information back out of his head?"
"Well, my goal is Chuck safe. Period." Sarah said, then shrugged while Ellie smiled. "I don't particularly care about the data. It may not be all in one place but the government never loses anything. Removed, updated, changed – I don't care if we can keep him safe. In the long run, removed is the best way to keep him safe from our own government though."
"Well, a couple of conclusions. If its basically like software running in his head, another 'upload' might suppress or erase it. You'd have to be careful and might need the original data. I'm not really sure how to sort the Intersect data from, for example, his memories. The other conclusion is that your seizure analogy is probably close to correct and that's worrisome. There could be long term side effects we have no way of predicting."
"I'm going to talk to our bosses soon. Try to convince them to clear you and maybe Devon. After recent events, you are the only two doctors I can be certain aren't agents or working for bad guys. You can take care of Chuck if something happens, and do the research. And it doesn't hurt to have trustworthy medical backup, off the books." Sarah said wheels turning in her head. "And maybe see if I can get you access to the researcher's notes. I'm sure we can get away with some general medical exams ahead of that though."
"And until then?" Ellie asked.
"There's not much more we can do. Its the hardest part of this world I live in, the work I do. We can't always act on what we know." Sarah replied.
Ellie looked at her. "Or what you feel."
"Yeah. I tried that. Didn't work with Chuck." Sarah grinned.
"So right now, all we can do is what?" Ellie pressed.
Sarah shrugged. "Go shopping? I'm not being facetious. We were supposed to do that and it would look weird if we didn't. And… I could use the friend and the downtime."
Ellie rose and held out a hand. "Lets go then. We should find you some outfits for holiday dinners. We aren't formal but you probably want to look pretty for your 'cover'."
Sarah used the outstretched hand to stand and used her most matter of fact tone, "Do you want your brother to pass out at the table? I could make sure its the kind of dress I can wear without underwear." Sarah smiled at Ellie's horrified look. "Teasing, Ellie, just teasing. Look, I'm sorry to lay so much on you, I know the situation is complex. I'm trying to fix it."
"Well, lets make this a regular thing maybe? It's kind of expected of me to solve all of my younger sibling's problems. You qualify." Ellie grinned and mock punched Sarah's arm. "Its not out of the ordinary for extended family members to be friends with the SOs. What are you doing next Saturday? We could get breakfast, take coffee to the beach, then hit some shops? Halloween is coming up and we need to stock up, then we have the Stanford game that Devon wants to go to. You need to make Chuck go, get over some of what he left behind there."
"That sounds like fun, having someone to talk to." Sarah grinned. "Chuck talks. A lot. But he's still a guy." She paused the, thinking. "Speaking of that, Ellie, I did have some questions about Stanford and Flemming, something has my 'I do bad things and steal secrets for a living' instincts going…"
They'd packed up and returned to the car, heading into an area packed with the smaller shops that Ellie preferred. During the drive, Ellie related the Stanford story as she knew it. Sarah found it odd, it had the flavor of a setup that she might stage. Only she'd do it better. After they arrived and got started, Sarah's attention was redirected by Ellie's shopping ability. Apart from a stop for lunch, they were constantly in motion, moving from shop to shop, rack to rack. Ellie was focused and apparently possessing endless energy. Sarah didn't know how she did it. She was an agent used to all night stakeouts, surveillance during parties and events, running gun battles, and more. Yet, she was wearing down by the end of the day. Ellie had carefully avoided topics related to their secrets, but had peppered her relentlessly about other things. Where she'd lived, foods, clothes, previous relationships. Any topic Sarah gave up something on, she'd zero in and go for more details. Sarah found herself discussing more about living in DC than she'd ever expected. Finally, though, they'd been through all of the shops and Ellie seemed to be aware that it was time to take pity on the poor superspy who didn't have Ellie's experience of working 100+ hour weeks as a resident.
"OK." Ellie said as they put the last bag in the back of the Porsche. "That wasn't bad, I think next time we'll take Devon's Explorer. More room for stuff."
"More stuff?" Sarah asked incredulously. "Wouldn't it just be easier to buy a whole shop and keep it as a wardrobe?"
Ellie burst out laughing, and Sarah followed suit. They climbed into the car and Ellie waved a hand at the things in the back. "Its not really that much, and usually I rotate out older things to second hand stores."
Sarah considered this. I suppose not living out of a suitcase has advantages when you don't have a CIA wardrobe department. She shook her head, smiling and shifted the topic. "So, what do you think of the dresses I picked up?"
Ellie shook her head. "I think you can make pretty much anything look like its a Hollywood casting for a girl in a spy film."
"Hmm. OK." Sarah said, dubiously.
"The dresses are fine, if a bit too school teacher for me. My comment on how you make things look has probably more to do with your attitude. You're absolutely comfortable and confident in anything you're wearing." Ellie said, thoughtfully. "I suppose that comes from lots of wardrobe changes at the drop of a hat?"
"There's a bit of acting involved there." Sarah admitted. "I'm not actually all that comfortable in evening wear or some of the... more extreme outfits. I find a simple skirt and blouse combination to be my sweet spot for work."
"Then why the school teacher sun dress and sweater combos you picked out?" Ellie asked.
"I'm a spy, Ellie. Lets just say I've spent some time figuring out how to press Chuck's buttons in public." Sarah replied with a grin. "In private I'd probaby..."
"PLEASE STOP!" Ellie yelled, putting her hands over her ears.