One-on-one
Thanks for the reviews. Also, some of your questions and comments will be answered in this chapter and the next chapters.
Thanks again for my wonderful beta reader, Engineerd.
Catherine and Stephen
At Catherine's home…
The door bell rings and Catherine's assistant rushes to get it.
"Hello Mr. Bartowski." Holly greets.
"Hi Holly, is my ex-wife home?" Stephen asks, letting himself in.
"Yes I'll go get her."
"No need. I heard you call his name from my office. Please finish up the faxes while I deal with Mr. Bartowski, Holly."
"Yes ma'am." Holly walks away.
"What do you want Stephen? I don't have time for your ego right now."
Stephen makes himself at home, even though it financially is his home. He walks to the kitchen and pours himself a glass of lemonade.
"I got a call from Arthur today."
Catherine crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"You don't know what you're getting into. How many times have I told you not to get involved with Arthur?"
"My life and my friends do not concern you anymore, Stephen. What's the big deal if I called Arthur anyway? Last I checked you two were buddies."
"You don't understand."
"Than explain it to me."
"Everything with Arthur comes with strings attached. My friendship with Arthur…it's…it's complicated. You have no idea what I've done to get on this guys good side for the sake of my business."
"For the sake of your business, that's all you care about. Look Stephen, if you're worried about me ruining your business with Arthur you have nothing to worry about. All I asked him for was…"
"For a job for Chuck and his gold-digging girlfriend. Are you trying to ruin my reputation with my clients? How dare you ask my client for a job for two disappointing losers?"
"How dare you walk into my home judging people you don't even take a chance to know. Sarah is a wonderful young woman who just trying to get her life in order. Chuck is doing a great job in helping her. He's being a better man than you will ever be."
"I doubt he'll be as successful."
"Success is nothing without family. You do remember what a family is right, Stephen? You know, those people you celebrate your success with? Those people you come home to, who love you and who you love. Those people you have dinner with each night and tell jokes with. Who you go on vacation with and make memories. That's your family. It's what you lost."
Stephen stands up from the stool he was sitting in and stands in front of Catherine.
"Look, I'm just warning you, be careful with Arthur. You never know what you are getting with this guy."
"You should know by now that I can handle anything life throws at me."
Sarah and Chuck
Sarah's place…
Chuck walks into the house with greasy clothes and wiping his hands on a towel.
"I checked your car and everything should be fine until I get back. I put a spare tire in your trunk. If you're having any trouble with anything call Devon or Morgan or if you are really desperate Jeffster. They'll be waiting for your call, really they will. They'll more than happy to help you."
Sarah laughs as she wraps her arms around his neck. "I'm a bit scared now."
"Don't be. They're harmless creeps. They're not Bryce."
Sarah's face fell and she slides her arms off Chuck.
"I'm sorry, it slipped. I forgot you don't like hearing his name."
"What if he comes while you are away?"
"I won't let him hurt you again Sarah. I let it happen once and I regret ever leaving you here alone. I haven't called to accept the job. Like I said, there's always construction in California."
"No Chuck I want you to take this job. I know it's been hard for you to find a job like this in so long since your father controls everyone here. This is your chance to get back at him, show him who's the best architect."
"If that's what you really want."
"I do. I don't want to hold you back from your success."
"You can never hold me back. Without you and Travis success means nothing to me. You make me want to work harder. I want to give my family everything they deserve."
Sarah wraps her arm around Chucks neck again. "By family you mean me and Travis?"
"Yeah, I thought I established that when I took you to the Carmichael Ranch. Not just anyone goes there."
"It's just that…I haven't had this in so long."
"Well get use to it, babe, cuz from now on its family mode on full throttle."
Sarah laughs and kisses Chuck. "What did I do so wrong to get such a goofy boyfriend?"
They both silently knew all the possible answers, all of their mistakes alongside Bryce Larkin caused them to meet.
Sarah pulls away from Chuck.
"What's wrong?"
"You smell. You need a shower."
Chuck grins, liking where this is going.
"You should go take one. I'll make lunch." Sarah teases as she walks away.
Chucks grin fades but a smile grows on his face. "Oh no you don't." Chuck runs after Sarah and picks her up. "You're coming with me."
"With you? That'll be the day. You're always the one to cave-in first." Sarah loosens from Chuck's grip and runs to the bathroom.
"Hey! That was twice!" Chuck runs after Sarah and locks the bathroom door as he walks in.
3 hours later…
McDonalds bag sit on the kitchen counter, the continents scattered alongside it, half eaten.
In the living room, Sarah and Chuck sit on the couch surrounded by boxes.
Sarah sits on Chuck's lap with a touch screen, pointing it at the tv. "So this one's for the camera pointed at the parking lot?"
"Correct. Now find the one for the camera outside the basement door."
Sarah touches the screen and on the TV screen pops an image on the backyard. "I did it! You are such a great teacher." Sarah turns to face Chuck and they start making out.
The front door opens. "Ewe, gross." Carina says.
Sarah and Chuck stop kissing and stand up.
"Oh please, I've catch you and John doing worse."
John grunts.
Chuck and John
"Could I talk to you John, for a moment?" Chuck asks.
John grunts.
"Was that a no?" Chuck asks confused.
"No that was his 'yes' grunt. Use your big boy words, Johnny." Carina says, kissing John on the cheek.
"Fine." John says.
Chuck leads John to the basement.
"What do you want, Bartowski?"
"A favor."
"I'm not bailing you out of jail again. You should have just killed that guy the first time."
"What?! I'm not planning on…Look I just wanted to ask if you could watch Sarah for me while I'm gone. She's still a little freaked out about the Bryce incident. I don't want anything to happen to her and Travis. I set up cameras around the house along with a security system but they won't help if he actually gets in and…"
"Wow, you've really gone to the extreme, haven't you? Carina will probably be here every waking second she's not at work so you have nothing to worry about. No one will lay a hand on Sarah…unless she finds a new boyfriend while you're gone." John walks away.
"Ha ha, very funny." Chuck mocks but then gets serious. "You're kidding right? Right John? John?"
John grunt and walks upstairs smiling.
Sarah and Carina
"Wow, the guy went all out for you, didn't he?" Carina asks while playing with the touch screen.
"Yep." Sarah says with a proud smile.
"Except you're horrible with technology. I remember you killed the electronic dog dad bought us when we were little. How are you going to control this?" Carina points to the touch screen.
"I did not kill Burt, he let himself get run over by my bike. It was his fault. Why didn't he move?"
Carina and Sarah laugh.
"And for your information, Chuck is a great teacher, he taught me how to use it."
"I'm such he did. Did we interrupt one of your lessons earlier?"
Sarah throws a pillow at Carina.
Chuck and Travis
Sarah's place…
"Knock, knock, anyone home?" Devon says, opening the front door, popping his head in, holding Natty and Travis.
Sarah and Chuck quickly straighten up from their make out session in the kitchen.
"We really need to keep that door locked." Chuck whispers before walking to the door. "Yeah guys." Chuck says excitedly.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Travis says as he run toward Chuck.
Chuck quickly picks him up. "Hey kiddo. How was Disneyland?"
"Awesome!" Travis responds with a big smile.
"Thanks for watching him Devon." Chuck says. "We really needed some time to ourselves."
"No problem bro. He and Natty had a great time. See you later, bro."
"Bye bro." Travis.
Devon leaves and Chuck closes the door.
"Chuck." Sarah says from the kitchen after seeing the scene earlier.
"I totally agree, honey, limited time with The Captain."
Chuck sits on the couch with Travis.
"Listen Travis there's something important I want to talk to you about."
Travis sees Chuck get serious so he pays attention.
"I'm gunna be leaving tomorrow. I'll only be gone for two days."
"No, daddy."
"I'll be back, kiddo, I promise. Ok?"
Travis nods.
"I need you to watch your mommy for me, ok? You're the man of the house while I'm gone. Understand what I'm saying?"
"Watch mommy." Travis replies.
"Right, watch mommy."
--
"I'm really gunna miss you. It's gunna be the worse two days of my life." Chuck says as he hugs Sarah and Travis. "Remember what I told you." He whispers to Travis.
"Watch mommy."
"Good. You're the man of the house, it's your responsibility."
"Sponsbilly." Travis repeats.
Chuck gives each a kiss on the cheek and walks out the door.
Travis runs to the window and watches Chuck get into a cab and drive off.
Next Up: Day 1 (Chuck)