Author's Note: It finally rained in L.A., I can't even remember the last time it did, but it was a welcome change, at least by me. I gave yet another speech yesterday and now that that's out of the way I finally had the chance to write this chapter. Here you go:

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Complications

Walker/Bartowski Residence

August 30, 2016

11:13 pm

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Sarah asked one last time. She caressed the now empty side of her bed invitingly.

Chuck pulled his boxers back on and scooted in next to her. "Not yet," he replied, "but how about I stay until you fall asleep?"

Sarah spooned into him, brought his arm around, and placed it securely around her waist. With her back now to him, she said, "I suppose it'll do for now but that's not going to fly for long, Chuck."

"I'll keep that in mind."

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Walker/Bartowski Residence

August 31, 2016

1:30 am

Chuck was now sleeping in his room after having spent an hour with Sarah in his arms. She'd fallen asleep after the first ten minutes but laying there with her was something he'd wanted for a long time so he was determined to let himself enjoy it for a while. It was a curious situation Chuck found himself in. On one hand, every feeling he'd once had for Sarah was coming back stronger with every passing day they spent together. The last few days had been great when it came to their relationship. On the other hand, despite their recent forays into behavior modifying activities, the feelings of intimacy their closeness evoked in him were a source of discomfort for him. Chuck decided he was going to push through the discomfort until he didn't have to fake otherwise anymore; until then, Sarah didn't need to know. It would only hurt her, just as it would hurt Ellie if she knew. After another hour of trying to work through some of his problems, he finally gave in to sleep. If nothing else, at least the nightmares were becoming less frequent now.

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Walker/Bartowski Residence

August 31, 2016

2:30 am

The front door easily drifted half-way open with one small push. Carina put her key back into her purse and closed the door quietly behind her. She knew this house so well by now she had no problem navigating her way to the stairs in the darkness. She was exhausted and couldn't wait for her head to hit the pillow. That last assignment was a real pain in the ass. She was getting too old for that crap. Luckily, she'd picked out the bed, sheets, and pillows for the spare room; she knew she was in for a great night's sleep. So enticed was her sleep-deprived mind by the prospect that she didn't take note of the body already occupying the bed as she entered the room. She let out a moan of anticipation as she approached the bed and then let herself fall onto it. She hit something solid as she landed and the next thing she knew, she was on her back and a pair of hands was around her throat choking the life out of her.

"Sa—Sar—Walker!" She tried to cry out but it came only as a harsh whisper. She saw the body on top of her and struggled to get the hands off her throat. Carina was desperate as she felt the life and consciousness draining out of her. She shot out her arm and started to feel around for anything she could use. Her hand landed on the small lamp beside the bed. She grabbed it and smashed it into the side of her attacker. The hands loosened their hold and she pushed her attacker off of her and onto the floor. She went on the offensive, fully intending on making her attacker pay.

Chuck hit the floor and woke from his sleep just in time to feel the first punch connect with the side of his face. The Intersect engaged, for the first time as far as Chuck knew, and he started grappling with his attacker. He quickly overpowered the much smaller intruder.

Carina once again found herself under her attacker and saw his hand coil back for a punch she was certain she couldn't dodge when the lights suddenly came on.

"Stop!" Two heads snapped toward the entrance to the room, where Sarah stood, looking aghast. "Chuck, get off her!"

Chuck drew his brow together in confusion, "Her?" He looked down at his opponent. "Carina?" His eyes widened in horror as recognition set in. "Oh my god." Chuck shuffled backward and didn't stop until he hit the wall. "What the hell is going on?" He asked in a panicked voice.

"That's what I want to know!" Carina shouted hoarsely. "Why the hell were you just trying to kill me!"

"I— I wasn't— I'm not—" Chuck stopped talking, instead choosing to shake his head in bewilderment.

Sarah walked over and knelt next to Carina. She checked her over to assess the damage. "You'll be fine," she informed her. "Now, can you tell me what was going on in here?"

"That crazy bastard tried to kill me." She glared at Chuck. "What's he doing here anyway? I thought he was on the run?"

"No, not anymore," Sarah corrected. "And, he actually lives here now."

"What!"

"Look, I'll explain everything," Sarah assured. "Can you just please tell me what happened, exactly?"

"I just finished a job and came to visit," Carina started. "I let myself in like always, but I was too tired to let you know I was here. I just headed to bed," she explained. "I came in here to get some sleep and next thing I know beanpole over there is choking me." She glared at Chuck once again.

"I'm sorry... she surprised me," Chuck tried to explain. He looked at Sarah, hoping for her to remember and understand.

She nodded and turned back to Carina. "You and I need to have a talk," she told her. "Chuck?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you please head downstairs and make some coffee? We'll be down in a little bit."

Chuck got up from the floor and headed to the door. As he reached it, he turned back and apologized once more. "I'm sorry, Carina. I didn't mean to hurt you." Then he headed out the door.

"Sarah, what the hell is going on here?" Carina started. "That's not the Chuck I remember."

"It's a long story," Sarah sighed out.

"Well," she said as she massaged her aching throat," I think I've earned the right to hear it, and lucky me, I've got the time."

"Let's sit on the bed," Sarah responded in resignation. "There's a lot to talk about."

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Walker/Bartowski Residence

August 31, 2016

3:45 am

"My god, Sarah." Carina spoke in disbelief as soon as Sarah finished talking. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Look, I know it's complicated and unusual but I want this," she responded. "Carina, can you just please leave it alone?"

"That man is dangerous," Carina argued. "And after everything he put you through, how can you just be okay with all of it?"

Sarah sighed exasperated. "First, I'm not just okay with anything; we're working through our issues," she began. "Second, he's not dangerous, he's traumatized and he needs help," she continued. "Why do you think he was in here in the first place? He said he didn't want to sleep near me until he was sure he wouldn't hurt me. I thought he was making excuses but I was obviously wrong." She cast a look at the red marks on Carina's throat.

"You don't say," Carina remarked sarcastically.

"I'm sorry you got hurt, it won't happen again," Sarah assured. "Can you please just let it go and be happy for me?"

"I'll let it go... for you," Carina conceded. "But don't expect me to be friendly with him."

"Can you at least be civilized around him?"

"I supposed I can try," she acquiesced.

"That's all I ask." Sarah started to get up. "Come on, let's go downstairs."

"Do you mind if I skip the coffee?" Carina asked, still sitting on the bed. "I'm exhausted and I really need some sleep."

"Oh... sure. You know where the clean sheets are." Carina nodded. "See you tomorrow?"

"Yep. Goodnight, Sarah," she said as she walked over towards the closet.

"Goodnight."

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Walker/Bartowski Residence

August 31, 2016

3:55 am

"Hey," Chuck gave her a small smile. He was sitting at the table clutching a cup of coffee, looking downcast.

"Hi." She smiled comfortingly.

"Where's Carina?"

"She was tired and wanted to get some sleep." He nodded in acceptance. Sarah came around to sit next to him and put her hands on top of his.

"I'm sorry about attacking her," he started. "I— the Intersect must have taken over while I was asleep."

"I know and I explained to Carina it was an accident," Sarah responded. "But now do you see why you have to talk to someone?"

"I talk to you," Chuck offered.

"And I appreciate that you do, but I can't give you the kind of help I know Doctor Rosen can," Sarah countered. "He's much more qualified than I am." Chuck sighed. "You will go to your appointment, won't you?" He nodded. "Good. Now, I'm tired. Let's go to bed."

Chuck's head snapped to look at Sarah. "What?"

"I need to get some more sleep," she replied. "Let's go to bed." She started pulling him up.

"Sarah, no," He said, shaking his head. "You saw what I almost did to Carina. I can't..."

"Chuck, you're coming with me and that's that," she commanded firmly. "I need to keep an eye on you... and I can assure you, you're not going to hurt me."

He tried to pull out of her grasp. "You can't be sure of that," he contested.

"Yes, I can," she affirmed. "Now, I'm sleeping wherever you are. What'll it be, my comfortable bed or that couch with barely enough room for one?" Chuck saw the determined look on Sarah and sighed in resignation. "Good choice. Let's go."

As they walked past the guest room, Sarah knocked on the door. "Carina, you awake?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I need to borrow your handcuffs," Sarah called through the door.

"What handcuffs?" Came the innocent response from within the room.

"Hand them over, Carina," she prodded.

A few moments later the door opened and Carina deposited the cuffs in Sarah's hand. She looked at Sarah mockingly after seeing the smug look on her face.

"Don't worry, I'll give them back," Sarah assured her.

"You'd better." She cast a glare towards Chuck then closed the door.

Chuck ignored the glare and instead he looked at Sarah with an inquiring expression.

"What? I told you you weren't going to hurt me," she said simply and pulled him toward her room.

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Dr. James Rosen's office

August 31, 2016

11:30 am

Chuck sat outside Dr. Rosen's office waiting anxiously for his session to begin. He rubbed his palms against his thighs trying to drive some of the moisture from them. He didn't want to be here in the least, but he'd told Sarah he'd try.

The door to the doctor's office opened and a man looking to be in his mid-fifties, with half-graying hair stepped through. "Mister Bartowski?"

"Yes," Chuck stood and greeted him with a handshake.

"Please, come in, sit" the doctor offered. Chuck did as the doctor asked. "So, what would you like me to call you?"

"Chuck is fine."

"Chuck," the doctor parroted and nodded. "Okay, Chuck, let's get started."

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Author's Note: I'm going to be working on the next Regenesis update but will probably post the next chapter of Looking Glass first because there's only two left to go in that one.