Don't own Chuck

Sarah grabbed a throw off the back of the sofa then followed Chuck out after she told Ellie to watch Sam. She went outside to find Chuck sitting by the fountain with his head in hands. Walking over she sat down beside him and put her arms around him. When he looked up at her she saw his red eyes and welled up, he had been crying.

"You keep thinking my father was some sort of hero. The man was a Frankenstein look what he's done to you… to us. My God you'd been better off with Bryce." Of all the things she thought he'd say she hadn't expected this.

"I understand your anger. Believe me I do but I didn't chose Bryce I chose you. You're the love of my life and we took vows for better or worse."

"It seems all I've given you is worse," said Chuck as she rubbed his back. She had seen Chuck down before but she wasn't sure if she'd ever seen him this down before.

"You know that's not true and I need you now more than ever. If this is happening to me I need someone I can rely on. Chuck don't give up on me now."

"No never, I wouldn't ever do that. You're right," he said. She could tell she had finally gotten through to him. "We vowed in sickness and in health. I won't let you down I promise and tomorrow I'll be with you just let them try and stop me. I'll rain hell down on them the likes of which they've never seen.

"I know you will and I love you."

"I love you too."

"Because I love you I think we need to talk this out. If I go back to the way I was or worse I need you to promise me something."

"I don't want to have this conversation with you, not now please. It's too early to start thinking worse case scenarios."

"Sweetie there never will be a good time. Just remember you have to think of Sam and put her first. She needs you and even more if anything should happen to me."

"She needs her mother and I need my wife that's what we need. I brought you back once before and I will do it again that's what I'll promise you. I'll bring you back no matter what it takes. Sam needs you I need you and nothing will ever change that."

"I just ask that you think of Sam."

"You don't have to worry about her just take care of yourself and I'll take care of the both of you. I promise," he said as he kissed her. In the sky above them a star fell from heaven.

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Ellie was pacing in the apartment trying to think what to do. The whole thing had spiraled out of hand. Only she knew the truth but she couldn't tell them. Maybe it would have been better if she had told them, or it could have made it worse. She just couldn't decide and in her indecision she did nothing. The only thing she could decide to do was to feed Sam then put her to bed. Ellie was putting Sam down when she saw Sarah walk past her from their bedroom.

"Sarah I didn't hear you come in is everything okay. I hope you don't mind but I fed Sam. Do you want to put her to sleep?"

"Everything is fine. Can you be a love? Since you're already there go ahead and put her down. I need to check on something."

"Then you're not mad at me? Sarah I'm only thinking about what's best for everyone and really there's nothing to worry about you'll see... Sarah… Sarah," said Ellie but when she got up she found the French windows that led to the back of the apartment open and Sarah gone. Just then Sarah walked in with Chuck. Taking off her throw, she dropped in on the back of the sofa.

"Ellie where's Sam she needs a bath before bed," said Sarah as Chuck walked by without saying a word. She had seen this before when he was mad at her.

"I'm sorry I put her to bed," said Ellie. She wanted to tell Sarah like I told you but now wasn't the time to talk back so she held her tongue. "Listen I tried to tell you that it's probably nothing so let's not blow this out of proportion. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with you. In fact you're probably fine. You should look at this like a checkup. Please there's nothing to worry about."

"Ellie I hear you say that and I want to believe you but considering our track record nothing is ever nothing. You realize we're both spies, Chuck and I."

"Of course I do. I might not like it, my brother's life style, but that's the path you two chose so I live with it. I may not agree with it but it's your lives."

"Then you should also realize we can tell when someone is lying to us or telling us a half truth. That's why Chuck is mad at you because you lied to him to get here and get to me. Ellie I don't want to get in between you and your brother but I don't think you've told us the whole truth and I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can get it if you don't want to talk to me but go talk to Chuck."

"Sarah I'd like to but I can't. I just can't. Please by tomorrow evening this should all be taken care of. I won't tell you that we'll laugh about it because we won't but we'll be able to put this behind us."

"I know this is Beckman's doing and I just hope you're right because you're risking everything with Chuck. I might be able to look past this but Chuck won't trust you again."

Ellie's phone rang; she took it out and saw it was the General she looked at it then at Sarah trying to figure out what to do.

"Answer it she doesn't like being kept waiting," said Sarah as she walked back to their bedroom. First she looked in on Sam who was fast asleep then she went to Chuck. She found him lying on the bed with his clothes on staring at the ceiling. She went over slipped out of her shoes then lay next to him.

"Do I need to give you a penny for your thoughts or are you going to tell me what you're thinking? If you want I could torture it out of you but only if you want."

"I'm really not in the mood for levity. You know there was a time when Ellie and I always told the truth to each other but now it's almost an exception."

"In all honesty, and pardon the pun, but you haven't always be honest with her. I know you did it to protect her from our spy life, I get that, but maybe you should look at this as the shoe being on the other foot. What I'm trying to say is maybe she's trying to protect you, protect us from something. Don't you think she deserves the benefit of the doubt? After all this is Ellie we're talking about?"

"But…" Chuck started to protest but Sarah put her finger to his mouth.

"She said we have to wait until tomorrow so why can't we? We've done more for a lot worse people so let's call a twenty-four hour truce. Why don't you go wish Ellie a goodnight then let's go to bed? I don't think anyone's really hungry anymore."

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A blonde headed woman ran out from behind Echo Park. She looked up and down the street then a waiting car flashed it lights and she went to it getting in. The car then pulled out slowly with its lights off driving away in the dark.

"How did it go inside? I thought I was going to have to come in to help get you out. You almost got caught."

"You're paid to drive and that's it. I'll handle the rest but it was a piece of cake no one's the wiser and I proved I could pull it off. I just walked through and I even talked to the sister," said the Sarah look-a-like taking off her ski mask. "The expert arrives tomorrow I cloned the sister's phone. Make sure the guys know I need this expert alive."

"I understand why you need the expert for your condition but why do we need the other one? Seems just extra weight to me."

"What did I say you were paid to do? I do the thinking. I am the brains of this operation and you guys listen to me. Quinn's dead and Lee's gone that leaves just me so you guys had better shape up and fall in line or I'll deal with you like I did to George Tokugawa the yakuza boss who tried to meddle in my affairs. After you drop me off make sure the plane is gassed up and ready to go. We'll need to leave town in a hurry."

"Yes Nee-san I'll see to it. We're here are you sure you want me to go you know I could stay and wait. I can call to have the plane readied I don't have to go there in person."

"I can handle myself and I have a strange desire for Chinese so no don't wait for me just swing by later and pick me up."

Nee-San got out of the car and walk into the restaurant. The place was busy and packed there didn't seem to be a table free. She was scanning the premises when she felt someone grab her shoulder. She reacted. Grabbing the hand of the stranger she twisted it backwards placing the assailant in an arm hold shoving him against the wall

"Hey Sarah it's me," said Morgan. "You can let go. I give up. Jesus I thought Casey was bad. Remind me to announce my presence before I enter the room from now on. Jesus you almost broke my arm. Where's Chuck? Oh I get it he and Ellie needed some alone time so you came to get some takeaway."

"Huh, right Morgan," said Nee-san. She had done her homework and knew who everyone was. "Right I'll just place my order and go. Nice to see you Morgan."

"Nonsense, come over to our table. You can place your order then have a sit with us while you wait and kill a little bit of time."

"If that's the only thing I kill," she mumbled to herself.

"What was that?" said Morgan as Alex came up behind them.

"I don't want to be a killjoy," she said thinking fast.

"Sarah where's everyone else?" asked Alex looking around. "You're here by yourself without Chuck or Sam."

"Remember I told you, Ellie's in town," said Morgan. "She's giving them a little alone time. Ellie can be a bit demanding. I should know."

"Right," said Alex. "Let's not get into that. So Mom and Dad are at our table too. It looks like everyone decided to go for Chinese."

The three of them went over to a table close to the kitchen and sat down. Nee-san passing as Sarah had to explain again why she was there but she let Morgan do the talking he provided her with a plausible cover. All she had to do was agree with it. This was Nee-san's chance to try to pass if this worked then tomorrow would be a cakewalk. As she was waiting for her takeout she noticed Casey staring at her. She was beginning to worry that he had seen through her.

"A little rice wine," asked Casey as he poured her a glass. She couldn't help wondering if this wasn't some sort of test.

"Thanks kompai," she said as she raised her glass to Casey and then they turned their glasses up. She quickly sized everyone at the table up. She figured if she had to she could take every one of them out. The only problem was Casey he'd go down hard so if she had to he had to be the first. Yes take him by surprise but as she was about to put her plan into action the waiter brought her order. She breathed a sigh of relief and started to leave.

"Oh Sarah hold up," said Casey. "Guys you need to excuse us there's something I need to talk to her about in private."

"Yes John," said Nee-san. 'At least he's got sense not to involve everyone,' she thought. They could take this outside and she could make this look like a mugging gone wrong.

"Smart move leaving Chuck with his sister," said Casey. "Have you found out anything about what's going on?"

"Oh that's what… No, but Chuck's working on her. I need to get home and find out what's going on. It's probably better if you don't say anything about seeing me. I left them eating pizza."

"Why did you get all that food for then?" asked Casey which was a good question and she had to think fast. "Oh I get it for the bearded troll so Morgan wouldn't catch on."

"Right we wouldn't want him going back to Ellie and telling her we're on to her," said Nee-san. It sure seemed like everyone was good at giving her excuses. She really didn't have to invent any and these were the master spies she'd heard so much about! Well that was to be seen.

"I get the bearded wonder is a blabber mouth just can't keep his mouth shut to save himself. I'll deal with Alex and Kat on the down low for you."

"Thanks I've got to go," said Nee-san as she ran off. Casey just confirmed what she was thinking piece of cake.

Casey watched Sarah disappear then as he was about to go back inside he thought he saw her drive by in a dark SUV with an oriental man driving.

"You know this is so good," said Nee-san as she ate her butterfly shrimp deep fried with chopsticks dipping them in soy sauce. "I might even save you some."

"Thanks boss. I ran out to the plane and everything is set. It'll be ready whenever you want. I've got the boys ready do we have a location yet?"

"Yes, after I cloned the sister's phone she got called by General Beckman to take Sarah to Westside Medical. I want you guys to grab the expert there I'll meet up with you back on the plane."

"Do we really need the extra baggage? I mean with everything in play just seems one more thing that can go wrong."

"Kenji I appreciate the concern but I decide what's important and if I say this is, it is. Here eat this," she said as she feed him a shrimp from her chopsticks.

"Hum, you're right it is good. Too bad we're leaving tomorrow or we could go back. Maybe the next time we're in town."

"Maybe," said Nee-san as she looked at him. "Maybe, who knows?"

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Chuck rolled over and kissed Sarah then got up sitting on side of the bed. He paused and took a deep breath.

"Chuck go, she's your sister not Volkoff or Decker," said Sarah as she pushed him off the bed with her foot. "Go I'll be here waiting for you."

"You're forbidden from going anywhere until I get back," said Chuck smiling.

"Go and stop procrastinating."

Chuck walked out of the bedroom then down to the kitchen to find Ellie with glasses on reading something in a folder with a half-eaten apple in her hand.

"I guess we're not very good hosts," said Chuck as he walked over and sat down beside her. "It was easier to talk when we were kids."

"Back then it was us against the world," said Ellie as she put away the folder sliding it into her bag. "Now we're all grown up and we've got our own families. Life has become complicated."

"El it's not so much that life has become complicated in that we've let that complication get in our way. You're my sister and you raised me nothing will change that. I respect that there are things you can't tell me but our family has had too many secrets. I'm sorry I'm deviating. Ellie you'll always be my sister."

"Thank you Chuck and you'll always be my little brother. Tomorrow this will all be over and we can get back to being normal."

"Whatever the Bartowski equivalent of normal is," said Chuck. "I'd offer you a glass of wine but Sarah's got the fridge packed with things she and Kat bought for Thanksgiving."

"I noticed. I was going to make a sandwich but I gave up but I still had a hard time getting at this apple."

"I feel bad that you had to make due with an apple. It's not too late I can order you something to eat if you're hungry."

"No I should be going to sleep. I didn't get much sleep last night and then I had to get up early this morning to catch my flight."

"Well we're going out tomorrow night. I'll make reservations for us at Sizzling Shrimp and we can take the gang out. I'd like that but I'm going to have to get back to Chicago the day after tomorrow for work then we'll all be out for Thanksgiving."

"Good I'm looking forward to seeing Clara and Captain Awesome," said Chuck as they made their way back to Sam's bedroom where they had a guest bed made for Ellie.

"I know Devon and Clara can't wait to visit with you guys they wanted to come out with me but Devon had work and Clara's got school."

"And you were sent on mission. Not the kind of thing you take your family on. Good night El," said Chuck as he continued walking down the hall to his bedroom.

"Goodnight Little brother and don't worry about tomorrow."

Chuck wanted to point out never tell a person not to worry because that's usually the time they ought to worry. He did learn some things from their conversation because as much as she kept saying it was nothing Ellie didn't want her family involved. Whatever these tests were he was beginning to wonder if it had anything to do with the intersect at all. Who could this expert be that would know more than Ellie and himself combined? There was definitely something else in play and he told Sarah all this when he got back to their room.

"Chuck I don't want to play the devil's advocate but couldn't you be reading more into what Ellie said than what she actually meant? You don't think you could've heard what you wanted to hear?"

"You could be right but I don't know. I'd like to take a look at that folder she was reading but I can't she took it to bed with her."

"Chuck think about what you're saying. What can we learn tonight that we can't just wait until tomorrow to find out? Ellie said we'd know tomorrow right? Think about it what if she catches you?"

"Yes she's supposed to fly back to Chicago the day after tomorrow. And you're right if Ellie caught me I'd look pretty stupid no to mention that she'd probably never forgive me. You know you're pretty and smart," said Chuck as he kissed her.

"You're not so bad yourself," she said as she kissed him back. "You haven't seen my hair brush around. I looked everywhere and can't find it."

"I left it on the nightstand over there," said Chuck but it wasn't where he remembered leaving it. "You should ask Kat. Sam probably came in and grabbed it to brush her hair or Mr. Rabbit's."

"Rabbits don't have hair. They have fur."

"Explain that to a two year old."

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A C-130 landed in Travis then shortly afterwards a motorcade departed heading south on the I-5 towards L.A. The five hour drive was long but long enough for Skye to be dropped in the arms of her grandparents and time enough for her to call her mother telling her she had arrived safe and sound.

"I've met your request," said the General as Jill hung up. "Now I need for you to hold up your end of the bargain."

"Does Chuck's sister know I'm the one she's going to be working with? I think she might have an objection or two if she did."

"That's not a problem we need to know the truth."

"What is the truth and why is it important. Chuck loves Sarah and Sarah loves Chuck. The woman with Chuck is Sarah. I read about her abduction and memory loss in the report you sent. But it seems she's recovered her memory now which would be impossible if she didn't have it to recover."

"There are reasons that make it imperative that we are absolutely certain who the people are around him. Chuck and his safety are of the utmost importance to national security that's all you need to know."

"General, Chuck's safety is important to me too but what you're going to ask him to believe is too much for him to accept let alone believe."

"That's why we have to be sure."

"We're here General," said the driver as they pulled into the hospital parking lot. Driving in the back they entered in through the morgue.

"I don't care how you make this work I just want it to work. You asked if Ellie knew you were the expert. Well no, she doesn't. But she knows she's got a job to get done and an expert will help her determine if the woman with Chuck is really Sarah or a sleeper agent with a hidden agenda."

"What do you expect from me?"

"I need to know if the woman who's calling herself Sarah Carmichael is Sarah Carmichael and I know how crazy this sounds but I need to know if she's a clone."