A/N: A great big thanks to all you nice people who've stuck with this story. Even with the extensive passage of time between chapters. (Usual real life issues.)
A little Zettel (thank you) inspiration in the small first section.
Speaking of Zettel, I thank him for a number of suggestions to improve this chapter.
And thanks, of course, to my hard working beta, Michaelfmx, for his valued input.
Any errors you see are my responsibility.
Don't own Chuck, et al.
Do this for fun and your comments.
—
SECOND CHANCES
Chapter Six: Explanations
"I like you, Sarah."
I don't immediately reply.
Even though I want to.
Even though I do.
Like.
You.
But I can't tell you that, can I?
I really can't.
Can I?
…
"I like you too, Chuck."
His answering smile is the most beautiful thing she's seen for a very long time, brighter than the full moon rising over his right shoulder.
She can't stop herself from grinning, hugely, back at him.
But she's not sure how to proceed from here, and judging by his awkward silence after their mutual declaration, he's not certain, either.
After all, it's only been a few hours.
So, as they drive to Echo Park, they tacitly agree to keep their conversation focused on tomorrow's meeting. That way, neither have to address the elephant in the room, or the car, in this particular case. But after she drops him off and returns to the room at Maison 23, her reaction to him nags at her.
Not just to his words. No, her whole-body emotional response to Charles Irving Bartowski.
It bothers her to the point that, despite her exhaustion after such a long and trying day, she has trouble falling asleep. She tosses and turns trying to find a comfortable position, before finally giving it up and simply staring at the ceiling, her thoughts a rapidly swirling jumble.
...
What the hell happened to me today?
If she'd been disconcerted even before she'd walked through the doors of the Buy More (and she had been), meeting him had only made it that much worse.
The flirting had been genuine, springing spontaneously from someplace within her that she hadn't even known to exist. Definitely not trotted out from the place she stored the lessons drilled into her by her CIA instructors.
And though it had brought about a justifiable (but undesired) reaction on his part, she'd liked, really liked,the way she'd felt while she was doing it. Liked that she'd been able to joke around with him, enjoyed the slow smile on his face as he realized she was having him on.
It was…fun. And she's had very little fun the last couple of years. Her whole life, if truth be told.
I giggled. Like a schoolgirl. I didn't giggle even when I was a schoolgirl.
Unless it was part of a con, of course.
And I liked the way he looked at me.
She can't remember the last time she'd felt anything but indifference, at best, or at worst, irritation, at a man's gaze.
Or a man's touch.
Even now, hours later, she swears she can still feel the warmth of his hand on hers.
His seemingly rapid about-face had thrown her for a loop. At first, she couldn't understand how he could go from such scathing, biting words to a humble apology within the span of a few hours. And yet, she'd never doubted his words in either case.
Then she'd seen it for what it was.
Honesty.
A concept foreign to the world she's inhabited since she went on the road with her father.
"Being honest paints you into a corner, darlin'. If you tell people the truth, even just a little bit, they'll measure whatever else you say against that truth. And if you try to con someone you've actually been honest with, they'll almost always see it. Then you're left with no way out. On the other hand, the appearance of honesty is the basis for every good con. And, darlin', you're great at appearances. Almost as good as me."
She flinches at the memory of the youthful pride she'd felt at her father's compliment. A pride that gradually shrivelled and died as she began to realize just what they'd been doing on their cross-country adventures.
Chuck apologized to me. Even though he had every reason to treat me the way he initially did.
When's the last time anyone did that?
Apologizing had never been in her father's playbook. Nor Graham's.
Or Bryce's.
"Sarah, no matter what goes wrong, never admit it was your fault. Of course, you need to give the appearance that you're contrite, but, at the same time, you have to make sure your words, your reports, subtly shift the blame to the mission planners, your support team. Anyone but yourself."
Her world, but clearly not Chuck's.
He'd told her things he'd never told anyone else. Candidly admitted his faults. His errors in judgment. With no agenda she could detect. And he'd done so eagerly, relieved that he could be truthful and open.
His natural state, she's certain. At least, it was. Until the government forced its way into his life.
Honesty begets honesty.
She'd heard that somewhere, but had never really experienced it until their…what?
Meeting?
Date?
Honestly?
She's not certain.
Disarmed by his candor, she, in turn, had opened up to him. Told him things she'd never admitted to anyone else. Not even Carina.
I haven't lied to him. Even a little bit. I've never been on an assignment where I wasn't knee-deep in deception by this point. Even if it was only self-deception.
She shakes her head in wonder.
And I told him I liked him.
Honestly.
Can't walk that back, Sarah.
She tries to imagine acting that way, saying those words if this assignment had gone as originally planned, being the person she'd been then, but is unable to visualize herself doing so.
Different times.
Different me.
She consoles herself with the belief that getting along with Chuck will certainly make this assignment much easier and much more enjoyable.
Enjoyable? Where did that come from?
...
She'd finally fallen asleep. But not before setting an early alarm in order to be up in time to call the Major and inform him of the arrangement for the meeting. And the part he was expected to play in it.
Even over the phone, there'd been no trouble in sensing the man's reluctance but, in the end, he'd given her a crisp, "Roger that." They'd agreed to meet at his place before heading over.
So, for the second time in less than twenty-four hours, Sarah finds herself knocking at Major Casey's door. It opens.
"Good morning, Major."
He grunts. "Morning. Casey's fine, Walker."
She nods "OK. You ready to go?"
Sourly, he replies, "As ready as I'll ever be."
She nods, then steps back, allowing him to exit. He locks the door behind him and they head toward Ellie's apartment. As they do, Sarah notices that the place across the courtyard has a "For Rent" sign.
That could work.
"What did you think of Chuck? Did the two of you get along?"
The questions catch her off guard, her mind focused on the upcoming meeting. She stops and turns his way.
She hedges. "Get along?"
"Yeah, as in, did he tell you to go to hell when you walked in and told him who you were? Or…"
"He was…upset. After the store closed, we went and had a burger. I smoothed things over."
"That's good. Where'd you go?"
"Lou's Place."
"Seriously? He took you there?"
"Yeah."
"You know Lou was—"
"Yes, I know. He filled me in. He also told me that he never took Forrest there."
He regards her curiously for a few seconds. "Seems you smoothed things over pretty well, Walker. Good work."
"Thanks."
"You didn't tell me what you think of him."
She'd hoped he'd forgotten that part of his inquiry.
She hesitates. "I think we'll be able to work together. He seems like a good man."
Casey doesn't push, just nods. "He is. You tell him about my thoughts for the Intersect team?"
"No, I didn't bring it up. Thought we would cross that bridge if and when we need to. I got no indication that the Intersect is still functioning. He seemed very forthright about that."
"That he is."
Sarah glances at her watch. Grateful that she can change the subject before it goes down an uncomfortable path, she says, "Time for us to get in there." She's just about to knock on Ellie's door when she hears an unintelligible mutter from behind her.
She turns. Sees a few rivulets of sweat on his forehead. "What was that?"
He speaks up, just a little. "Into the valley of Death rode…"
"…the six hundred."
"You know the poem?"
"Yes. But it couldn't be that bad, could it?"
He looks over her shoulder towards the apartment. "That woman…scares me."
She raises an eyebrow.
"Yes, Walker. I'll admit I'm afraid. You would be too, if you'd ever met Eleanor Faye Bartowski Woodcomb when she's on the warpath."
He shakes his head, scowls. "She's gonna be royally pissed."
Inwardly amused, but also with a sense of growing uneasiness, Sarah turns back to the door and knocks.
Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.
Great, I would have to remember that line right now.
It only takes a couple of seconds before Chuck opens the door. Obviously, he'd been waiting for them. Anxiously, it seems. He looks nervous, apprehensive.
"Hi, Sarah. Casey. Come on in." He backs up while still holding the door, giving them enough room to enter.
As is her wont, Sarah quickly scans the interior, noting the layout. The personal touches.
I like it. Homey. Comfortable.
She then turns her attention to the people awaiting them.
Morgan stands off to one side.
Ellie and Devon are near the couch, standing side-by-side.
The file photos don't do the two of them justice.
Devon is clearly curious, but his expression is open, unguarded, friendly.
Ellie seems equally curious, but her eyes are wary, her expression guarded. Her smile is less sure, not quite full-blown.
Chuck does the introductions. "Ellie, Devon, this is Sarah Walker."
Sarah steps forward, offers her hand.
Devon takes it, shakes it vigorously. Smiles. "Good to meet you, Sarah."
Ellie's handshake is more reserved, cautious. "Nice to meet you, Sarah."
"Thank you. It's good to meet you, too."
Morgan pipes up, "Good to see you again, Sarah."
She smiles at him. "You too, Morgan."
Ellie asks, politely, "Would anyone like coffee?"
Sarah shakes her head. "Thanks, but I'm good."
Casey grunts. "Just had mine, thanks."
There's a murmur of negatives from the others.
Pleasantries seemingly aside, Ellie gets right down to business. "Sarah, I'm a little confused. Yesterday, Morgan told us he'd seen, his words, mind you, 'a smokin' hot blonde' named Sarah, holding Chuck's hand at the Buy More. It's clear he meant you."
Sarah flushes.
Ellie pauses. "And then, last night, Chuck tells me you've requested to meet with us. It all seems very strange. At first, I thought maybe you'd wanted to tell us that you two have been secretly dating, or some such.
"But then Chuck told me John and Morgan would be here as well, so that idea didn't seem to make any sense.
"So would you mind telling me, us, what this is all about?"
"You're right Ellie. It's nothing personal. Chuck and I only met for the first time yesterday."
Ellie nods, looking mildly disappointed. "I see. Then why are you here, Sarah?"
"I think it would be good if you sat down."
"Sit down? I'm not sure I like the sound of that."
"Please. There are some serious matters that need to be discussed."
The woman appears to be unwilling, but then Devon takes her hand and gently leads her to the couch. They sit. Morgan joins them, maybe sitting a little closer to Ellie than necessary. Chuck takes the armchair. Meanwhile, Casey grabs a chair from the dining area and places it ten feet or so from the door.
After they are settled in, Sarah, still standing, begins.
"Before I say anything, I need you all to agree that what you're about to hear will not be repeated to anyone outside this group."
Devon responds, "I not sure I understand what you're asking."
Ellie and Morgan nod their agreement.
"If certain parties came into possession of this information, there could be serious repercussions. For the security of the country, but, more importantly, for yours and Chuck's personal safety."
All three on the couch look toward Chuck.
Ellie blurts out, "What is she talking about, Chuck?"
"Just agree, please. And listen, OK?"
It seems Ellie is about to fight him, but Chuck cuts her off.
"Sis, trust me, please. It's important."
She stares at her brother for a few long seconds then nods, choppily.
Looking back to Sarah, she replies, clearly against her inclinations, "OK, I agree."
Devon and Morgan follow suit.
"Yeah. OK."
"I agree."
Relieved that the situation is, at least, temporarily defused, Sarah continues, "John Casey and myself work for the Federal Government."
Morgan suddenly looks panicky. "Are you from the IRS? Because, if you are, I wasn't aware until recently that those free games are considered to be a taxable benefit."
She shakes her head. "No, Morgan, not from the IRS."
She pauses to take a deep breath.
"Major John Casey is from the NSA. I work for the CIA."
For a few seconds, there's only stunned silence. Then a babble of overlapping voices.
"You're trying to tell me that you're spies…"
"What the…"
"I don't believe…"
Chuck speaks up in a strong voice. "Guys, calm down. She's telling you the truth."
The three of them look skeptical, even after his confirmation.
"There's more." Chuck looks Sarah's way. She nods. "Alexandra Forrest is also a CIA agent."
Their perplexed looks are largely replaced by ones of annoyance, disgust.
Ellie scowls, growls, "What the hell is going on here, Chuck? What possible interest could the CIA and NSA have in our lives? And why were you dating a CIA agent?"
He pleads, "Just listen to her, alright?"
It seems she's about to disagree, but, instead, turns back to Sarah. Her tone is angry, frustrated. "OK, Agent Walker, please be so kind as to fill us in."
Agent Walker. That stings.
Again.
Sarah takes another deep breath.
"Approximately two years ago, Chuck, with no intent or fault on his own part, came into possession of a...database...a massive, top-secret one known as the Intersect."
Ellie interrupts, "What do you mean, 'came into possession of'?
Sarah pauses, unsure if the three of them will be able to fully understand what she's about to say.
"A rogue agent sent the information Chuck's way in an e-mail. Upon opening that e-mail, the information, encoded in images was...downloaded...into his brain. Given the right circumstances, the information it contained became…accessible...to Chuck."
Morgan jumps in. "Come on, stuff like that can't happen! Life isn't a comic book!"
"I agree. Sounds like nonsense," adds Devon.
Ellie remains silent. Pensive. All turn to look at her.
Devon asks, "What are you thinking, babe?"
"I've heard rumors about that sort of thing. That it might be possible. Even looked into it myself. A little. And there's Dad's notes…"
She looks towards her brother, silently asks the question.
"Yes, sis. That's what happened."
"Still?"
He shakes his head. "No, not anymore. But you need to hear the rest of the story before we go there."
She turns back to Sarah.
"OK, Agent Walker, what happened then?"
"Casey and Forrest were sent by their respective agencies to retrieve the Intersect, as all other copies had been destroyed. They came, not knowing that Chuck had downloaded it and that the only copy of the e-mail had also been obliterated."
"You mean to tell me they didn't have any other copies of this Intersect thingy?" Morgan shakes his head, disgustedly adds, "Even a newbie knows you make backups."
Chuck replies, "Yeah, seemed weird to me as well. But then they told me what'd happened back in Washington." He looks at Sarah.
She picks up the thread once again. "The rogue agent—"
For the first time Casey speaks up, growls, "The traitor, you mean."
She nods his way, then continues, "—the traitor had blown up the Intersect computer after downloading the information to a portable device. In the resulting destruction, the backups were also ruined."
Ellie shakes her head, asks, "Why would someone do that? Why choose Chuck?"
Sarah stalls, knowing the answer to that question will certainly set the cat among the pigeons.
"You'll know...in a while. I promise. But right now I believe it would only distract us from the story we need to tell you. Is that OK with you?"
Again, the woman's reluctance is clear, but she curtly nods. "Go on."
"When it was discovered that Chuck not only had the data in his mind, but that he could also recover it, there was some thought given to placing him in a secure, isolated location. There, it was hoped, the information could be retrieved and used to aid in the fight against various organizations intent on overthrowing the current government."
It takes a few seconds for her words to sink in. When they do, Ellie's face colors, but not with any of the gentler emotions.
Rage.
Pure.
Unadulterated.
Sarah had occasionally wondered what the phrase, "mad enough to spit nails", actually meant.
She wonders no longer. Swears she can hear Ellie's teeth actually gritting. The woman jumps to her feet.
Without conscious thought, Sarah takes a small step back.
She snarls, "You're telling me that the government was planning to throw Chuck in some godforsaken bunker and bleed him dry. Is that right, Agent Walker?"
Cowed, Sarah can only nod.
The brunette doctor turns her attention to the big man sitting near the door. Sarah sees him flinch.
"And you, Major Casey. That was your brilliant idea? Kidnap him? Sever him from his family? His friends?"
Before he has a chance to answer, Ellie goes on, raging. "What were you planning to tell us? That he'd been killed in an accident or something? Or maybe you'd planned on being a goddamned coward and leave us hanging, wondering for years what'd happened-"
Chuck's stern voice cuts her off. "Ellie. Stop."
"Chuck—"
"No. You haven't got a clue what you're talking about. Maybe you could try being quiet for a while and let us explain what actually did happen."
Ellie has the grace to look a little sheepish as she sits down beside her husband again. She shuts her mouth, but Sarah's certain that it's not the last they'll hear from the feisty physician.
Chuck turns his glare away from his sister long enough to look over to Sarah, who gives him a little nod.
He goes on determinedly, "It just so happens that it wasn't Casey's idea to put me in a bunker. It was Forrest's."
With a visible effort, Ellie manages to restrain herself. However, Devon decides it's time for him to jump in.
"The woman you wound up dating wanted to put you in a bunker? I don't get it, bro."
"It'll be clear in a few more minutes, Awesome. Please be patient." He turns to his friend. "You, too, Morg."
The bearded man nods. "OK. But I just want to say one thing, if it's alright?"
Chuck nods. "Go ahead."
"My best friend is in the spy world. Do you know how cool that is, Chuck?"
Shaking his head, Chuck glumly replies, "Trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Not like the movies or the books."
Morgan's enthusiasm deflates, somewhat. "Still, it's pretty cool."
"Let's see if you agree after we tell you the rest of the story."
Chuck takes a deep breath. "I refused to go along with Forrest's idea. Forcefully. But the issue was in doubt until Casey came in on my side." He looks over to the Major. "You wanna take it from here, John?"
With a thank-you-very-much-glare, the big man stands. "Ellie, Devon. Yeah, I was on his side."
He takes a deep breath. "But the truth is that I'm no saint. We needed what Chuck had in his head. Badly. One way or another, our bosses demanded access to that data.
"But I had read Chuck's file, carefully. Knew how close he was to the three of you and just how important those relationships were to him. I suspected that he wouldn't function well if we threw him into a bunker somewhere. So I stood up to Forrest and told her how I felt. Got her to see that this was the only way things were going to work."
He shakes his head ruefully. "In the end, the position I took was simply the lesser of two evils. Neither choice was a good one. This one only hurt him, and you, maybe only a little less than the other one would've." He shrugs his shoulders. "Who knows? It may have made things worse. Perhaps if we'd thrown him into that bunker we coulda figured out how to retrieve the data and not put him through what's happened the last couple of years."
The big man sits down.
Ellie raises her hand.
Chuck acknowledges it. "Go ahead, sis."
Sarah can see the woman is doing her best to keep her voice level, to dampen the anger and frustration she's clearly still feeling. "Which is what, exactly? He talks about you functioning, like you're some sort of machine. What have you gone through the past two years? Were Forrest and the Major just your bodyguards or what?"
She huffs. "And you still haven't told us why you were dating a CIA agent."
"Patience, please." Chuck turns to Sarah. "Maybe you should tell this part of the story."
She nods. "Ellie, once it was decided the bunker was off the table, an agreement was reached. One where Chuck's abilities would be used in a different way.
"I mentioned that Chuck was capable of accessing the data in the Intersect. Sometimes a face, a word, a picture, or some such, would trigger something which came to be known as a 'flash'. He would then be able to recite the data he'd seen in that flash, intel that could be acted on."
Devon speaks up. "So they would feed you the stuff like that and then they could act on what you saw. Is that right, Chuck?"
"Yes...partly."
Ellie raises an eyebrow.
Sarah intervenes. "Due to various circumstances, Chuck wound up accompanying Casey and Forrest on quite a number of missions. Missions where his...participation...proved to be invaluable."
Devon blurts out, "You went on missions, Chuck? That's awesome."
Ellie glares at him.
He cringes a bit. "Maybe not so awesome."
Ellie shifts her attention to her brother. "What does she mean by that, Chuck? How exactly did you participate?"
He squirms in his seat. It's a few seconds before he replies. "Mostly, I was supposed to stay in the car when Casey and Forrest went after the bad guys." He hesitates. "But then I'd see stuff, Ellie. I knew that good people would get hurt if I didn't do something."
"Were you ever in any danger?"
"I was just trying to help."
"Answer the question. Were you ever in any danger?"
He hangs his head, quietly replies, "Yeah, a little bit, a few times." He lifts his head. "But it was mostly my own fault."
Ellie directs her glare towards the Major, appears to be ready to rip into him. But before she can say anything, Chuck jumps in.
"Don't blame Casey. He's saved my life more times than I can count."
Oh, no, Chuck. Not the right choice of words.
Sarah can see he immediately realizes that.
Ellie turns slowly back to her brother.
How does she do that? Remove every last trace of warmth from those eyes?
There's a definite note of stridency in Ellie's voice. "Saved your life, Chuck? More times than you can count?"
He flinches, then nods.
"More than a little and a few, then, brother," she fumes.
"Yes." He hangs his head.
Greatly daring, Sarah steps in before Ellie can berate him further, firmly says, "The important point is that he's here now and he's OK. Wouldn't you agree, Ellie?"
Ellie takes a deep breath, appears to be ready to tee off on Sarah, when Devon grabs her hand. She looks his way. All he says is, "Babe. She's right."
Ellie huffs, then replies, grudgingly, "Yeah, I guess so." She glares once more at Chuck. "More. Later."
He doesn't say a word. Just nods choppily.
Sarah decides this is a good moment to shift the focus of the conversation.
"Ellie, you asked why Chuck was dating Agent Forrest."
The brown-haired doctor shifts her gaze. "Yes, I did."
"Both she and Casey needed a cover, one that plausibly allowed them to be near Chuck so they—"
"—could take him on those damn missions."
Sarah nods. "Yes, that was part of it. But they were also there to protect him."
Ellie frown is abruptly replaced by concern. "From what?"
"Those same groups I mentioned earlier started to get wind that the Intersect existed, and was a danger to them. Although they were never able to positively identify Chuck as the Intersect, there was always the threat they would."
"And if they had identified him?"
Sarah chooses her words carefully. "They would've tried to remove him from the equation."
"Which is spy-speak for kill or capture." An assertion, not a question.
Sarah nods, reluctantly replies, "Yes."
Ellie looks at Chuck once more. "So you've been lying to us the whole time. About what you've been doing. How much danger you've been in. About Alex." An assertion once more.
He flushes, ears red. "Yes, Ellie. It was too dangerous for you to know the truth. If you had known and maybe inadvertently said or done something, they may have used you to get to me. I couldn't take the chance that you," he gestures to Devon and Morgan, "any of you, could be hurt because of my actions.
"But I hated doing it. Every time I stood there and lied, even though it was to protect you, I felt sick inside."
Ellie pins him with her glare for a few moments before saying, "Knowing you, Chuck, I can accept that. Or begin to. What I'm having much more difficulty accepting is the whole thing with Alex as your girlfriend. How could you bring her into our home? Your bed? When there was nothing between you? That's not you, Chuck."
"Ellie, she was never in my bed. At least not while I was in it. I slept on the floor when she stayed over."
"But, Chuck, the noises she made, the bed creaking."
"All her. Pretending. Laughing at you and Devon while she did it."
Devon, seeing the growing anger in his wife's face, intervenes. "Why did you settle on the girlfriend cover, Chuck? Why not go another direction? Workmate, like Casey? Or something else?"
"It's what Forrest insisted on, not me."
"Why? It was clear she didn't enjoy spending time with Ellie and me. Or Morgan. She must have known that pretending to be the girlfriend would require she be around us more."
"I've thought about it. Eventually, I realized it was her way of asserting her control. And simultaneously punishing me for fighting her on the bunker issue. This way she could make my life even more of living hell. Not only would I have to lie about the Intersect, but I would also have to lie about my personal life. Pretend in front of all of you that I cared about her. That we had a physical relationship. To rub it in my face that I wasn't allowed to have any sort of real relationship with someone I could truly care for."
His eyes shift briefly Sarah's way before returning to Ellie.
Sarah notices and sees that his sister does as well. Ellie looks her way, raises an eyebrow.
Sarah turns away. Looks at Devon, who asks, "Why the hell would you go along with it, Chuck?"
"I had no choice, Devon. She made...threats...to ensure my cooperation."
Devon, who had remained mostly calm up to this point, bristles at his explanation. "What do you mean, bro? Did she threaten to hurt you?"
Wearily, Chuck shakes his head. "No, Devon. She threatened to go after you and Morgan.
"And Ellie."
"After Ellie?" There's a rising note of anger in the man's voice. "How?"
Sarah answers, "She threatened to have Ellie's research grants taken away. And have you accused of sexual misconduct. Morgan of theft."
Ellie growls, "The bitch! Could she actually have done all that?"
Sarah shrugs. "Possibly. The head of the CIA at that time had considerable power and he was ruthless. Used to getting what he wanted. If she could've talked him into it, he could've done some serious damage to all of you."
Chuck speaks up. "I couldn't take the chance, Ellie. My life was pretty much a wreck, but I couldn't let her take you down with me." He shakes his head. "I just couldn't let that happen. I'm sorry."
For the first time in a while, Sarah can see sympathy in Ellie's expression, hear it in her voice. "No need to apologize, Chuck. You were just doing what you do best. Caring for the people you love. It wasn't your fault you got saddled with someone like her." She mutters, almost to herself, "Never could stand that...that woman."
It's mystifying to Sarah how so much venom can be injected into two normally innocent little words.
Any residual sympathy evaporates, however, as the doctor shifts her attention Casey's way. "And what were you doing this whole time, John? Just sitting by and watching as that bitch dumped all this crap on my little brother?"
Casey flushes. "As time went on, I did what I could. But Forrest's boss had more pull than mine. We didn't have the clout to fight him on every issue. Had to choose our battles."
He looks at Chuck, then back to Ellie. "But knowing what I know now, I should've fought her harder. Should've tried to rein in her in more. I truly am sorry that I didn't."
Sarah, even with her brief acquaintance, can tell apologies don't come easily to the man. It seems Ellie can see that as well, for, when she speaks again, her voice loses some of its harshness.
"Yes, you should've, John."
She pauses. "But I haven't thanked you for saving my brother's life. Even though I hate the circumstances that led to you having to do that, I am grateful. It means more than I can express in words. Thank you."
Casey mumbles, "You're welcome."
Ellie, seemingly not wanting to embarrass the man any further, turns to Sarah and asks, "You said you'd tell us who sent the blasted thing Chuck's way?"
Sarah hesitates. "Bryce Larkin."
Morgan jumps in. "Bryce Larkin?! The same Bryce freaking Larkin who got Chuck kicked out of Stanford? The same Bryce Larkin who stole his girl?"
"Yes."
Ellie is grim. "You're telling me that he was an agent as well?"
"Yes. CIA."
All three stare incredulously, reduced to silence by this startling revelation.
Ellie speaks first. "Let me make sure I've got this right. Goddamned Agent Bryce Larkin," she almost spits out the name, "the man who did everything he could to ruin my brother's life at Stanford, reaches out and somehow manages to dump this Intersect thing on Chuck? Bringing the unwelcome attention of both the CIA and NSA down on his head?"
"Yes, Ellie. That sums it up pretty well."
"Why would he send it Chuck's way?"
Casey replies, "We were unable to ascertain his motives with any degree of certainty. Chuck had scored very high on an image retention course at Stanford. Knowing this, and knowing we were closing in on him, Bryce possibly felt he could send it Chuck's way and then come and reclaim it later, in some fashion or another."
The brunette doctor turns to her brother. "Did you know this, Chuck?"
"Yeah, sis, I did. But there were a couple of things I only learned last night." He looks at Sarah.
Ellie turns her narrowed gaze upon Sarah. "And just what things were those, Agent Walker?"
Sarah swallows, then answers, "Bryce was shot while trying to flee the scene, he died shortly after sending the information Chuck's way."
Ellie nods, firmly. "Good. Saves me from having to go after him."
Devon grabs her hand. "Babe! That's harsh! The man is dead."
A small measure of contrition creeps into her reply. "You're right. I'm sorry he's dead." The cold steel returns. "But I'm not sorry he won't be able to ruin Chuck's life any more than he already has."
Devon looks as if he's going to take issue with that, but seeing the look on his wife's face, he wisely refrains.
Ellie asks, angrily, "What was the other thing?"
Sarah hesitates once more. "Bryce was my former partner."
"Partner?" Ellies ears perk up.
"Yes."
"What kind of partner?"
Sarah strives to keep her voice level. "We worked side by side on a number of missions."
Sarcasm dripping, Ellie asks, "Is that all, Agent Walker? Bryce was a good-looking guy, after all. I'd guess you were working under him as well?"
The old Sarah would have slapped down, verbally at the very least, anyone who so rudely tried to intrude into her private life, supremely confident in herself and the choices she'd made.
But now, she finds herself at loss, blushing, as she stammers, "I…I…"
"ENOUGH!"
The room is shocked into silence. All turn to see Chuck, standing, rigid with anger, fists balled at his side.
"But, Chuck—"
"No buts! That's none of your damned business!"
"Maybe she was working with Bryce!"
"No, Ellie, she wasn't. Bryce's betrayal of Sarah was probably even worse than what he did to me."
"But—"
"You can go after me all you like, but Sarah had nothing to do with what happened here. Instead, she's doing all she can to clean up the mess that Forrest left behind. To help me get back the life I've lost. She deserves your respect, not your snide innuendos."
"Am I clear, Ellie?"
It's painfully obvious that Ellie is unused to this sort of vehement dressing-down from her sibling. She's visibly taken aback, but obstinately refuses to back down.
"What if she's lying to you, Chuck? That's what spies do. What if she has some hidden agenda we don't know about?"
Chuck shakes his head. "No. I trust her. End of discussion."
Sarah feels her cheeks suddenly warm along with her heart.
He trusts me. Enough to go up against his sister.
Don't blow it.
Ellie opens her mouth, but, before she can say a word, Chuck forestalls her, his voice stern, unyielding. "Tread carefully, sis.
"Sarah is a friend." He glances Casey's way. "And John, too. Not at first, but we gave each other a second chance.
"And you know how I feel about my friends, don't you Ellie?"
Ellie just nods, finally cowed into a measure of silence.
"Good. I'll trust you'll remember that in the future."
Chuck looks at Sarah. "Would you please tell us more about why you've been sent here?"
He sits down.
It takes a second or two to gather her thoughts. "Ellie, one of the main reasons I came here was to do exactly what we're doing right now. Clearing away the lies and confusion. To let the important people in Chuck's life know what's been going on and why.
"And to let Chuck move on with his life. With minimal interference from us. Chuck will no longer be forced to do anything he chooses not to do.
"You have my word on that, Ellie.
"Before you reply, I understand you have every reason to be suspicious of me. I hope that what I've, what we've, done here today will go some way to allaying those suspicions. All I ask is that you give me a chance to prove myself.
"Are you willing to do that?"
Ellie looks indecisive, and Sarah fears she hasn't gotten through to her. But then, surprisingly, the woman nods decisively.
"Yes, I'll try. You do deserve that much."
She pauses, blushing. "I know I've been difficult. It's just that I love my brother so much. And I hate what they, what she, did to him."
"I agree. I made it clear, forcefully, to Forrest what I thought of the role she'd played here. And that any further interference in Chuck's life would not be tolerated." Sarah can hear, in her tone of voice, the residual anger from that confrontation.
Ellie's surprise is plain. She studies Sarah for a long moment. "You know what, Sarah Walker? I believe you. Is that why she didn't show up here today?"
"No, not really. She'd already maneuvered matters to obtain a more favorable posting. She left yesterday."
Casey speaks up, disgust in every syllable. "In other words, she couldn't wait to get the hell out of here once we concluded the Intersect was no longer functioning. And she could no longer use it to advance her career."
"Yet, you're still here," states Devon.
Sarah replies, "Colonel Casey is staying on for a while to assist me with the dismantling of the operation. I'll be staying on after we accomplish that."
Ellie asks, not unkindly, "Why, Sarah? What would there be for you to do?"
"While we feel, with the Intersect gone, there's no significant threat to Chuck's safety, I will be here for the next year to watch over him purely as a precautionary measure.
"Obviously, we can't broadcast that I work for the CIA. It would attract unwanted attention, so I will need to establish a cover."
She gestures behind her. "I noticed the place across the courtyard is available. I'll be taking it. I've been thinking of a cover as a fitness/self-defense instructor just moved in from San Diego, here to open up a new business. The Orange Orange in the Buy More mall has been shut down, so I could use that space."
Morgan is squirming in his seat. Sarah smiles. "Before you ask, yes. The Orange Orange was a front for this operation."
"I knew it! No way that place coulda stayed open otherwise. Always had the weirdest hours."
Sarah continues, "With me living in the building, a developing friendship between Chuck and myself will come across as more natural and spontaneous. Allowing us to spend time together without arousing suspicion."
Giving Ellie a long look, Sarah adds, with a smile, "And I think we could be friends, Ellie. If you're willing to give it a chance."
Ellie gives her an equally long look in return. Smiles, just a little. "You may be right, Sarah. But I'll need some time."
"That's all I ask."
Chuck, who'd been observing the interaction with a smile of his own, stands and addresses the group, "I think that's enough for this morning. Sarah and Casey have things to do."
Ellie asks, "You know there's a lot more we need to know, Chuck?" Devon and Morgan nod their heads in agreement.
"No problem, guys. After I see our guests out, I'll come back in and we can discuss whatever you want. OK?"
"OK."
Everyone stands and shuffles toward the door.
Casey is first out, but not before both Devon and Morgan shake his hand and thank him for coming.
Ellie approaches Sarah, stops a couple of feet away. Sarah is about to offer her hand when abruptly, she finds herself engulfed in an almost bone-crushing hug from the brunette doctor.
Sarah's unsure how to respond, her arms hanging limply at her side. Over Ellie's shoulder, she sees Chuck smirking at her.
Ellie whispers, "I'm sorry I've been such a bitch, Sarah. But you've have to understand. He and Devon are all I have."
Sarah moves her arms, tentatively returns the hug. She whispers back, "I do understand. And I promise I'm here to take care of him, not to hurt him any further."
"I believe you."
Ellie steps back, smiling. "Thank you for coming. And for all you've done here today. For giving him another chance."
"You're welcome, Ellie."
…
Once outside the closed apartment door, Chuck blurts out, "Whew! That went better than I thought it would."
Casey nods, replies, "You're right there, Bartowski. Seems we caught Ellie on a good day."
Sarah blinks in surprise. "You're trying to tell me that was a good day?"
Chuck, replies, chuckling, "Nobody lost a body part and there wasn't any bloodshed, so, yeah, it was."
Casey grunts his agreement. "You need me here? If not, I'll head off to my place."
Sarah answers. "No, we're good. I'll contact you later this afternoon."
"Sounds good."
Sarah and Chuck watch him head off to his apartment.
Chuck speaks, quietly, sincerely. "Sarah, thank you so much for what you've done here. Ellie and I can start the healing process now. It feels so good that I won't have to lie to her and them, anymore."
"I didn't do anything special, Chuck. Just what was right and proper."
"Well, right and proper have been severely lacking in my life the last couple of years, so I will thank you. Again."
"You're welcome."
He looks at her, smiling. "Ellie likes you, you know."
Surprised, Sarah replies, "She does? How can you tell?"
"She hugged you. A genuine, full-blown Ellie Bartowski Woodcomb hug, mind you. Not the fake, polite one she gave Forrest once or twice."
Sarah smiles. "Guess I'm privileged."
"That you are." He looks back toward the door. "Well, I guess I'd better get back in there. I'm gonna get raked over the coals for a while yet."
He quickly assures her, "Don't worry, I won't talk about the stuff you said had to remain quiet. I'll just tell them there are certain subjects that are off limits."
"Good."
He hesitates. "You free later? For dinner?"
"Yes. What did you have in mind?"
"There's a Mexican place I like. They make a mean Margarita. Think I might need one after the three of them are finished with me."
Sarah chuckles. "OK, sounds good. Pick you up at seven?"
"Great! Dress casual."
For a moment, it looks as if he, too, is going to give her a hug, but, instead, holds out his hand.
She takes it, the tingling warmth of his grasp flowing up her arm once more.
"Until later, Sarah."
She nods. "Later."
He releases her hand, turns to the door.
Her voice is small. "Chuck."
He turns back to face her, his expression inquisitive.
She looks up into his eyes. "Thank you."
He returns her look for a second or two, then quietly replies, "For what, Sarah?"
"You stood up for me."
"Hey, that's what friends do for each other."
She hesitates, suddenly feeling shy. "I haven't had one of those for a...while. Anyone willing to do what you did."
He doesn't press her, just earnestly says, "Well, you've got one now. And unless I'm way off the mark, there's a woman in there," he points his thumb back toward the apartment, "who'll soon be joining me as one of Sarah Walker's friends."
He pauses. "The first of many, I'm sure."
She blinks back her tears. Unable to voice the depth of her appreciation, she just nods.
It's obvious she's not as good at hiding her emotions as she once was, for he quickly leans in, places his hands lightly on her shoulders, and gently, reassuringly kisses her cheek.
"See you later, friend."
He doesn't see the resulting blush, doesn't see her press her hand, wonderingly, to her kissed cheek. All because he rapidly turns, reaches for the doorknob, straightens his shoulders and mutters, "Into the Valley of Death…"
Even through her now overflowing tears, she can't hold back her grin.
TBC
—
A/N: All the main characters are now in place. Introductions are done. On with the story.
Worked hard to get the voices right. (Part of the reason it took so long.) Hope they came across as intended. Clearly, Chuck is a little bolder, more forceful than he's often portrayed. Figure a couple of years dealing with the spy world (and Forrest. Boo, hiss.) would change him, at least somewhat, from what we saw in often saw in canon.
Most of us really like Ellie's character, myself included. But there were times she pushed the whole opinionated interference thing pretty hard. A little slap down wouldn't have hurt.
Feel free to review or comment. Even if there's something you don't like.
WvonB