A/N: A lot of you seem to like it. It has raised a ton of questions. For the record, Halfachance's wonder (I meant wonderful, but both words work) May Your Walls Have Joy gave me the itch to write an actual child again. Also for the record, I do have a single parent fic where Chuck and Jill are the parents, and Jill is out of the picture. Who knows, someday I may yank that one out. (Perhaps I should finish one of these first). Currently wrestling with chapter six. My beta and I actually co-wrote it and she plotted it. I find myself smiling a lot with that one. To clarify, both Chuck and Jenny/Sarah think the other hurt them….but they can't both be right, can they? Surely these two who communicate so well, and were 17 at the time didn't make any assumptions, right? (was the sarcasm too subtle?) By the time this chapter is over, you're going to have *some* answers. Strap in, Ellie gets involved, and things are, well, complicated. (DON'T TWITCH THAT EYEBROW AT ME ELLIE!) Welcome to Wanting It All Ch 2, The More Things Change.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and I honestly felt a little scared for Sarah writing this.

"Mommy, should we get Mr. Chuck a present?" Jordan asked from his seat. Sarah smiled at the thoughtfulness of her son. Birthdays hadn't meant a lot in her life until a certain one nine years ago that had changed her life. There was also the one just two months ago that had changed it again.

-ooooo-

2 months ago

"I don't know how you do it," Felicia said to her. There were six children at the party, 6 adults, but Daniel was no where to be seen, again.

"I do believe I'm not the first single mom in the history of the world," Sarah said with a grin.

"Oh, not that, having the dad around for four years now without making an ultimatum." Sarah gave her a look. "Listen, I'm not judging you, I'm saying I don't know how you do it. He's a good looking guy, you're obviously both in to each other if your still together for this long."

"I wouldn't say together," Sarah said, shrugging. "What we have works."

"See, that's what I'm saying, if Brad missed this party…" she trailed off and shrugged.

Sarah gave her a smile. "Can you watch them a second?" Felicia nodded and Sarah snuck off to the back bedroom. She pulled out her cellphone and made a call, after the third ring she heard his voice. "Hey, good mission?"

"There's no mission," he said, sounding confused.

"Oh, well, Jordan is having his birthday party."

"I know, you told me, wait…did he not get his gift?"

"He did," she said, slowly. "If there's no mission then why are you not here?"

"Sarah, I don't want him to get to attached, you never know when my next one could be my last one."

"That's kinda why you need to be here now, Daniel, you're his father."

"Sarah, we agreed," he said, as if that should be the end of the conversation.

"I have to go, MY son is having a party and one of his parents needs to be there."

"Sarah-" she hung up, put the phone on silent, and went back to the party.

It was evening, Jordan was in bed after his big day, and Sarah was sipping a glass of wine. She looked at her computer and the application she was thinking about submitting. It was away from here, and back to him. God, why go back there? He had broken her heart in ways she didn't think possible. He owed her answers. She knew it was nearly eight years, but he owed her a why. Why would he hurt her? How could HE hurt her? It was so unlike him, but he did. It didn't make sense. She snorted, nothing about the two of them made sense.

She'd failed seduction class at the farm because of him. She couldn't use guns correctly because all she could think about was him, and his look anytime anyone got hurt. She missed that smile, those curls, that smile, those eyes, God she missed him. Eight damn months were all they had together and the rest of her life combined had never equaled as much happiness. She loved Jordan, and she would do anything to protect her baby, but this guy had changed her life. He had shown her how to be loved, he had shown her that she deserved love, and then he had dumped her. It just didn't make sense. Was what happened the night before he broke up with her too much? Did he find out what she and her dad were? How could he have done that? There was a knock on the door. She shook her head, setting her jaw. She knew who it was, but that he had the balls to come over here right now….

"Daniel," she said as she opened the door. He had his left hand on the door frame grinning at her. "What the hell do you want?"

His expression changed to surprise. "Oh, sorry, someone here?"

"No, wait, are you seeing someone?"

"No, you know I wouldn't be 'seeing' someone." Her eyebrows raised. "Seriously, we don't even see each other."

"I'm aware," she said. Daniel was all sorts of confused.

"Can I come in?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

He didn't hide the surprise. "We had an agreement-"

"Damn it, Daniel, yes, we did, but we have a kid, and I know what I said, I know what you said, but do you really want to keep living like this?"

"Sarah, I have to keep going until I get them for her."

"But, Daniel, you have a son here, you have me."

"But you're not her."

She swallowed. She knew. Deep down she had always hoped that the two of them could help each other forget, but it had never worked. They were good together, but they weren't perfect, and both of them had had perfect, and it ruined them. She wasn't so much mad at him, but mad at herself for letting herself believe there could be more, wanting more.

"We have a good thing, Sarah."

"Yeah, but I want it all." She looked at him through her lashes and she knew, she didn't love him and he didn't love her, and they both knew it. He had always known, she had spent the time since their son was born trying to convince herself there could be more. There wasn't more. There never would be. "Once you find them, get justice, then what? Is there a chance at an us then?" He shook his head. She took a deep breath. "I'm leaving DC."

"Okay, let me know where, and I'll send the checks, and if you need anything-"

"Daniel, I don't want your money. In fact, I'd like you to sign away all rights." He blinked and then nodded. He reached into his coat pocket.

"I had two reason to come by, one of which was to see you, but the real reason I came." That stung, but he was being honest. Daniel was always honest, but his honesty and someone else's were so much different. "Your dad asked me to give this to you." She gave him a questioning look and he shrugged. "He called, said you needed to see this, and not to come tomorrow. In fact he doesn't think you'll ever come back again." He paused. "I really want to do my duty with Jordan." Sarah closed her eyes. "Please, once you get where ever, just let me know."

"Okay."

"And I can send the check?"

"Sure, Daniel, thank you."

"Yeah, hey, I get it. We both knew what this was, and if you want more, than you deserve it. But with what you feel about him…"

"I know," she sighed. "But I have to try."

"Good luck, Sarah," and with that he left. She shut the door, stared at the DVD, went over, and put it in her player.

"What the hell have you done now, Dad?" She watched the DVD and as she listened to her father, her mouth dropped open. She began to cry. She wanted to throw things. She wanted to break something. God, she was going to kill him. She was going to kill him just as soon as he got out. He ought to be glad he was behind bars. She looked down at her computer and hit submit, sending the application. She pulled up a word document and typed up her resignation letter, tears streaming down her face. She was getting the hell out of this worthless hellhole and going back. She was going back and try to fix her life. She had no idea how the hell she was going to do it, but she had to try. He taught her that much. She deserved to be loved.

-ooooo-

Present

Chuck walked up to his sister's front door and knocked. The door opened quickly, and the brunette on the other side had a huge smile. She quickly studied him and went into diagnosis mode.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, sounding weary. "Can I come in?"

She brightened and stepped to the side. "Please. Now we have a lot to talk about, like which of my single doctor friends you would be interested in me having at the party." Chuck entered and winced at the reminder. "You promised."

"Heh," he chuckled, remembering the second half of her promise, but thinking better of it…although….he might as well get something out of this. He began to laugh. Ellie watched him, wondering what was wrong with her brother. She had said that the only way she wouldn't invite them was if she came back. "You remember your promise?"

"Chuck! Don't go there. Don't, you need to move on, for God's sake, it's been eight years."

"I know exactly how long it's been."

"I swear if I find her I will kill her."

"No, you won't."

"I'll throttle her."

"Nope."

"I'll…."

"Be mad, but smile while she's here and make remarks to me and Devon that you think she can't hear."

"You're probably right…WAIT A MINUTE!"

"Here we go," he said, thinking back to how easier it was years ago.

-ooooo-

2009

"Hi, I'm Chuck Bartowski, I've been asked to show you around." Jenny stared at the hand that he was offering her. She then followed the arm up to the shoulders, and the head with curls that went on for days. Someone should really help him fix those. Her fingers twitched with the thought of doing it for him and she had to concentrate to make them stop. He started to look awkward. Why? Oh! She hadn't shook his hand. She put her's out quickly, catching his, and he gave her a smile and his brown eyes lit up. Oh…oh boy.

"Jenny Burton," she said, giggling. What was she doing, she didn't giggle? Then his smile turned on full blast and she forgot she didn't giggle. In fact, she wasn't remembering a lot of anything. He walked her to each class, sat beside her during class, and Jenny had never remembered anyone being as nice as he was, that didn't want something. So, she watched him, her dad's training took over, and she watched him like a hawk. But there was nothing he wanted, other than to just be with her. Talking, sitting, texting, listening to music and that's the way it had been for two weeks.

"So Ellie is throwing me a birthday party Saturday, and I know it's really lame but would you like to come?"

"YES!" she was shocked at the force in which she said it. She needed to get a grip. Her eyes traveled to his curls. Maybe that's what she should get a grip of….down girl! She waited for the week to fly by, but it crawled and she found herself met with the most awful dilemma of her life. She wanted to buy him the moon, the stars, star wars (whatever the hell that was) but the only money she had was con money, and it didn't feel right buying Chuck Bartowski something with con money.

It was Friday afternoon, and she was dropping him off at home, she insisted on driving him to and from school each day. He tried to give her gas money, but she refused. As he started to get out of the car, she grabbed his arm, gently.

"Chuck, I need to tell you something." She swallowed. It was now or never. "I really didn't have the money to buy you anything."

"Jenny, it's fine."

"No, it's not. I did get you something, and I'd like to give it to you before you go. I want it to be special, just me and you." He got that goofy grin he got only around her. It made her smile. He was special, and she was going to protect him from this crazy world. Two weeks of knowing him and she already knew that. "May I give it to now?" He nodded, and before he had a change to change his mind, she sprang. Chuck had been kissed by a few girls…no…that wasn't right. Chuck had attempted kisses with a few girls, this, this was a kiss. It started out sweet, but it quickly became more. She had gripped his shirt by this point, twisting it and pulling him further into her. She pulled away and stared into his eyes. "Happy birthday, Chuck," she said softly.

"Best birthday present, ever." His grin made her so happy she thought she might burst. "I really wish I had more birthdays."

She smiled at him. "Those don't have to be for just birthdays," she said, biting her bottom lip.

"Nervous, Jenny?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you nervous, you're just about perfect." She rolled her eyes. "Hey, you're funny, sweet, beautiful, and those eyes of yours…they just see into my soul. And when you smile that smile just for me…Thank you for the best gift I've ever gotten." She grinned. He smirked a little. "I could seriously think of only one better gift."

Here it comes, this was all an act, just to get me in bed. Dad warned me. He warned me that's what guys wanted. "What's that, Chuck," she said it with no emotion in her voice.

"If you were to be my girlfriend," he said quickly. "Sorry, I probably," he had begun to turn away, when her hand grabbed his face and gently turned it toward her.

She wasn't expecting that answer, but she proceeded cautiously. "What does that entail?"

"Oh, riding to school with me, but I guess we'll have to go in your car since I can't afford one." She laughed. "Sitting with me at lunch, watching movies together, texting, talking, maybe every once in a while we pretend it's my birthday."

"Really, Chuck," she said. He gulped. "If you're my boyfriend, everyday will be your birthday." His eyes lit up. "Uh, is that Ellie?" Chuck turned.

"Oh, crap, she's going to wonder what we're doing."

"Tell her the truth, you were telling your girlfriend goodbye." She pulled him for a quick kiss and then pushed him away. "Now go, before you get into trouble. I'll see you tomorrow." He got out of the car, shut the door, spun and stood there grinning. She rolled down the window. "Bye, Chuck,"

"Bye, Jenny," he said, as she pulled away.

"Chuck, who is that?" Ellie asked. Chuck looked up toward the heavens as the squeal began and birds flew away in fright.

-ooooo-

Present

"Good job, Agent Shaw," Graham said. Daniel had a pleased smile on his face. "So, with Sarah resigning, is that the prelude to you two getting married?"

"No, Sarah is moving to LA, so if I need to be stationed anywhere for this operation, I can be."

Graham nearly exploded. "You let her?"

"Let? Sir, I don't know if you've noticed, but Sarah has martial arts training and while I think I would win in a fight, I'm not crazy enough to try. If I told her she couldn't or more appropriately shouldn't then she would have expected our relationship to change."

"So change it!"

"Sir?"

"Agent, she was your cover!"

"No, sir, she wasn't, and frankly I'm not happy with what your suggesting."

"I don't give a damn if you're happy or not. You are to go home and win her back."

"Sir, she's in LA."

Graham was livid. "Damn it, I never should have approved her resignation."

"Sir, you couldn't have stopped her."

"Go to LA. You are now stationed there."

"Sir, you can't make her take me back."

"You can win her back."

"I never had her to start with, Sir. She's not in love with me, and if she's there in LA, then she's with the man she loves."

"Daniel, go to LA, win her back."

"I'll go to LA, Sir, but I promise nothing."

"There are things we can do."

"Sir, you are two seconds from me resigning."

"Okay, Daniel, okay, but I need you in LA, with your child."

"I don't like this, at all. She's a civilian, he's a civilian."

"Noted." Shaw shook his head, got up, and left.

-ooooo-

Present, Ellie's home

"She's here, in Burbank?" Chuck just nodded. He was sitting at a stool at the bar, while Ellie paced and mumbled things incoherently. She hadn't been able to get a grip for a few minutes. "What did she say." Chuck grinned.

"Well, she introduced me to her son," Chuck began.

"SHE HAS A SON!?" Ellie was livid. Chuck thought it was very wrong of himself to enjoy this, but he really couldn't help himself. She was pacing, and stopped, midstride. "She's after your money."

"Maybe," Chuck said, nodding. "I think we should put Casey on it."

"Why did you let her come to your party, why would you invite her?"

"Because Anna told her son and said he should come and have cake and ice cream," Chuck replied. Ellie sighed.

"You couldn't tell her no," Ellie said softly.

"I did manage to tell her I wouldn't give her my phone number." Ellie just stared and waited for the rest. "I did however let her put her number in mine."

"Of course you did, Chuck."

"I'm sorry, Ellie."

"Why are you sorry, Chuck. You love her."

"Yeah, I still do. Eight damn years and I can't quit. Eight years of trying to date anyone to make me forget her." Tears were in his eyes. "She left, no goodbye, no nothing, for eight damn years. I don't know if the government could snatch and hide someone that well." Ellie came over and hugged him. "Her name is now Sarah Walker, it's not Jenny Burton any more."

"Did you get a picture of her?" Chuck shook his head. "She's beautiful now isn't she? That beauty you saw inside her is out for everyone to see." Chuck nodded. "Why, Chuck, why did she leave?"

"Maybe it was me," he said softly. He cried. He let out the emotions he had thought were gone over the past eight years. He let it all out, and Ellie held him. She hadn't seen him like this in so long. After some time he stopped. She sent him to the room they had for him in their house, because he was always family, and he fell right to sleep. She grabbed his phone, punched in Jenny, now Sarah's birthday and pulled up her contact information. Her thumb hung over the delete button. She thought for a second. Sarah Jenny Walker Burton wasn't hurting her brother any more. She hit the button.

A/N: Ellie. Don't. Play. Next time, a birthday party. Who will be there, what will be said, will there be a showdown, and does someone go against Ellie? *GASP* Hoped you liked it, reviews are always welcomed…til next time.

DC