A/N:

I apologize for to post this chapter so late. I have some problems with this chapter. Have to thank Maverick41 for being my third eye.

I also updated my profile (took me long enough), you will find some info there.

So thank you for your support, leave a review and enjoy the story :-)

...

Charles Irving Bartowski woke up in his tent like any other day for the last 3 years.

Just another wonderful day in my wonderful life…

Life had been constantly beating Chuck down lately. It had basically made him into a cynical and sarcastic bastard. But as bad as it got, every once in awhile, he held out hope for a better tomorrow. Chuck wasn't the naive and innocent guy he once was when he was at Stanford however. The amount of dealings he experienced ever since then, made sure of that. But no matter how cheesy it sounded, he was thankful for all of it. He thought he could actually write a book of all his past experiences, but the only thing stopping him was how much he sucked at writing. Also, no matter how much he wanted it to be, his life wasn't a soap opera.

As someone who was never concerned about money while growing up, and more importantly, one-time inheritor of Orion Communications, he had no doubts concerning his future. There was always so much hype about his persona growing up that he felt like a role model for all the young people around him; but not by choice. It wasn't like he ever accomplished anything on his own. He was just the son of a man who happened to be a very successful engineer.

Chuck´s father tried his best to shield his family from what he called fake fame. Since he was eight, Chuck and his sister Ellie, were constantly scoped by the media. This always led to people assuming that the Bartowskis were just a family full of rich snobs. No matter how hard you tried fighting against the waves, they always seemed to get you in the end. It was a good bet that at school, teachers were nicer to them because of the press. It was hard to swallow for an honest guy like Chuck, that most of the people he knew, and even some of his so called friends, only saw the money instead of who he was beneath all that PR drivel.

There were only a few people that Chuck could really consider, by the true nature of the word, friends. One was his bearded and "dwarfy" friend Morgan Grimes; who he knew since kindergarten. One thing besides nerdiness that separated him from the others in Chuck´s book was his kind personality. Chuck being rich was never a secret, and it never got to the point of being uncomfortable when Morgan was around. He was one of the few that knew Charles Irving Bartowski inside and out.

In a previous chapter of Chuck's life, he had another friend who he attended high school and college with. Bryce Larkin was an evolution for the word 'nerd'. Unlike most nerds, himself included, Bryce was good looking, and he knew it. He was the Yin to Chuck's Yang.

Chuck was definitely the shy one out of the two friends. He didn´t like making advances or empty gestures just for one nightstands. Bryce would always sweet-talk the ladies just so he could satisfy his elementary needs. In order to accomplish it, words like love and beauty were used numerous times. For Chuck, it did not seem right for girls to be picked up like they were some piece of meat. You either loved the woman or you didn´t. If you do, you stayed committed to her. Chuck was a true believer. He believed in true love, that kind of love that gave you a warm felling inside. He knew that many people would call him naïve and foolish, but it's what he believed.

"Love has 4 stages," his father use to say. "Affection, trust, friendship, and love. Most people are not aware of the fact that in order to have something like this you´ll have to earn it. Otherwise, you will end up alone."

Even though everyone pretended to be his friend, Chuck was always being taken advantage of because of his shyness. This led to Chuck being a little distant. Bryce thrived off of this, and in everyone's eyes, he was a freaking superstar because of it.

Life has a cruel sense of humor…

Chuck continued to stare at the ceiling of his so called home. Thinking about Bryce Larkin was driving him crazy. Bryce may have been an egotistical idiot, but at least he had guts. Bryce Larkin had the guts to do whatever he wanted, and to get whatever he wanted; all the while giving off the impression like he wasn't even trying.

Chuck let a sigh escape his mouth. It had been 3 freaking years on this damn island. Since he got here, it was a living hell. Oblations, torture, robberies, human and drug trafficking. Chuck´s hands started to shake as he sat on his bed. These things were really tough to swallow. But now, all this craziness seemed that much easier to manage. Thanks to Chuck's very own Vicki Vale, in the name of Sarah, he felt the side that he thought had long since abandoned him, come alive...His human side.

Chuck smiled to himself. Sarah was apparently a very social woman. She was always communicating with him thanks to a notepad that he was able to get. She had several questions about where she was, but he had always managed to deflect them by reassuring her that she was safe. Her eyes were telling him that she did not quite believe him, but she thankfully let it go.

It was 3 days ago since they found the survivors from the plane crash. A few made it, but if his experiences with this place had taught him anything, it was that nothing was certain.

Chuck made a promise with himself; even with the stakes as high as they were now. He had enough of this.

Standing up, his determination ever increasing, he went to go make a call.

…

Sarah was doing better by each day. Chuck was her constant visitor, and that kind of support was something that Sarah appreciated. She tried using her voice, but she could only manage a few sentences before she tired herself out. Her heart skipped a beat on the first day Chuck gave her the notepad. She was taken aback by his thoroughness. It was obviously just a simple generous act, but for some unknown reason, it meant a lot to her.

Chuck was trying his best at keeping her entertained by telling her some crazy stories about his friend Morgan. The bearded man seemed like quite the character. It seemed like Morgan's adventures during seventh grade, or at prom, were some of the funniest and most precious moments of Chuck's life. Sarah was embarrassed when she couldn't laugh properly because of the pain she was suffering. Chuck even gave her his iPod as unorthodox medicine. It was such a sweet gesture. But beneath all of this, she could see a deeply damaged man waiting for redemption.

Now 3 days later, she lay on her bed, listening to some music, as her mind flew by, trying to put some pieces together. She tried to pull some images about her flight, but everything went blurry as she tried to regain her memory…

…

It was dark. She could barely see her surroundings.

"Pack it guys, we´re done here!" a voice commanded.

"You surely know how to give a show Colonel, cigar?"

Someone grunted.

…

More unanswered questions were added to this gigantic mess. Something didn´t add up, she was sure of that. Sarah didn´t even notice, as another song ended, but she did seem to notice a handsome guy approaching. He seemed nervous.

"Looks like I´m here right on time."

She pulled down one earpiece.

"Looks like you know your playlist inside and out Chuck…" She actually managed a smile.

"That would be me, big goofy nerd." Chuck responded as he sat in his chair next to her bed.

She bit her lip. "I wouldn´t say goofy, but definitely a nerd."

"I have my Nerd Herd app to prove it don´t I?" Flashing his signature smile, Sarah had to wonder if Chuck really knew how much power he possessed.

"So you don't enjoy things that give you an adrenaline rush?" Sarah had a specific goal in mind.

"I´m more into videogames. Although, I do have some unpleasant experiences."

"So, heights maybe?"

Chuck´s face turned pale. "Sarah, I know what you´re doing, and I´m sorry."

Her eyebrows popped up. By using her most innocent voice Sarah asked: "What do you mean, is this about what happened on the flight?"

His eyes averted her gaze as he got the sudden urge to look anywhere else besides her eyes. "Sarah, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to save you and everyone from this island, but right now you´ll have to trust me."

Without thinking he stood up and kissed her on the forehead. "Do you trust me?"

It was a valid question. Yes, Sarah had her doubts, and a lot of things about Chuck were questionable at this point, but she was also a good judge of character. And judging from the expression on his face, she knew that he was being honest with her. So, she just gave him a nod.

Ever since she knew Chuck, she had learnt that he had a lot trouble keeping his emotions in check. Right now she could see a mixture of them, such as: fear, desperation, pain, but also bravery and determination.

On the other hand, hiding emotions was something that Sarah was very good at. Although being with Bryce privately, made opening up for her less of a problem, she never loss control since they never seemed to fight with each other. As Sarah thought about it, they never had an actual fight. Even if there was one, they always made up. They were so much alike, that they understood each other, almost on a subconscious level. They were a great match and an ideal couple, so why didn´t she feel a need to grieve over Bryce´s death anymore. Was she that coldhearted?

She found this to be a very interesting point despite the situation she was in. Somehow she found herself thinking about her past relationship. Sarah Walker was now in fact afraid. Sarah started wondering how long their relationship would have lasted. She just never wanted to be alone again. She was before she met Bryce, and those times weren´t all that pleasant.

Oh boy, this is so messed up. She thought as she nodded.

Chuck was obviously relived. His pose became less tense and he smiled. "Thank you, I really appreciate it. I just hope that I deserve your trust… Now, that doesn´t mean that I´m not grateful for it… I just…

"That would be very unfortunate." Something in her tone made Chuck take a step back and stop his bumbling performance.

"Glad you´re feeling better." He muttered and left her tent.

For 3 days, which seemed to Sarah like a long time, she managed to smile without feeling the pain inside.

…

Chuck Bartowski sighed for the umpteempth time when he walked through to the "Dinner" tent. This seemed to be happening a lot these past 3 years; ever since he found himself in this god forsaken island. Chuck started to hate this particular routine. But for the first time in a very long time, he classified his sigh as a happy one…Which, and let´s be honest here, have been rare.

There was something about Sarah that fascinated him. Yes, her beauty was breathtaking, but Chuck also had seen beneath it. He saw a beautiful and loving person who's suffered a lot during her life. He felt this connection with her and it was driving him crazy. He felt attached to her in some way. That was the main reason why he felt the sudden need to help her and the others. God was not there for him, but maybe he was there for Sarah.

Chuck entered the "Diner." It was time for breakfast. Unfortunately, he immediately grabbed the attention of a group of four men who were very well known around these parts.

"Hey Bartowski; still pushing your luck with blondie aren´t you Casanova? Give it time man, give it time." This statement resulted in major laughter around the table.

"Andre, if you´re so brave, why don´t you take a chance…Or are you just trying to extend your video collection?" Chuck countered.

Andre Hall was not a man who you wanted to mess with. This was well known around the island, mostly because this guy had no respect for anyone. He had a massive ego, and the fact that he was the right hand of BB, also known as Big Boss, didn't help matters. BB gave Hall almost absolute power over everyone. Only Charles Bartowski was off limits, and that was something hard for a guy like Andre to accept.

"You´re so dead Nerd Boy!" Hall shouted.

"Well so now I´m a superhero huh?" Chuck growled as he made his way to Stacy, one of the members of the staff.

Stacy was in her mid fifties, but she was still one hell of a woman. Chuck assumed that if she wanted, she could just start kicking ass and taking names. Now she was here as a lead white hat with knifes.

"What´s on the menu for today?" Chuck´s question was left unanswered.

"I´m guessing no garlic for the vampire slayer then? Jeez, I loved that soup. " Chuck just mentally shook his head.

Who the hell came up with these absurd emergency codes for extractions? This is ridiculous, even for me!

"You´re an idiot Bartowski" Stacy answered, with no need to act much on her part. She didn´t like this man and she had no idea why John Casey even bothered with him.

"And once again you stab me in the heart." Chuck countered.

As Chuck made his exit with some pastries, butter, and honey, one thought disturbed him.

Casey is watching vampire flicks? Yuck!